THE CHIEF responsibility for determining whether and when policing and justice powers will be devolved to the Northern Executive now rests with DUP First Minister Peter Robinson, after Gordon Brown made policing and justice funding pledges worth an estimated £800 million-£1 billion (€884 million-€1.1 billion).
Pressure from London, Dublin, Washington, Sinn Féin and other of the Northern parties will now fall on Mr Robinson to move speedily on agreeing to the transfer of policing and justice powers to Stormont. The only significant issue remaining to be resolved is for Mr Robinson to determine that the general community in Northern Ireland, chiefly unionists, has the confidence to see this happen.
After Mr Brown published his financial package at noon yesterday, Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness met Conservative leader David Cameron. This followed from Mr Robinson’s concerns that a funding package might not be guaranteed by a future Tory government.
Mr McGuinness said after the meeting that Mr Cameron had pledged he would honour the Gordon Brown deal. “We should now move with all speed on the devolution of policing and justice powers,” said the Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister. “I believe this devolution can happen before Christmas.”
There is, however, a general expectation that the formal creation of a department of justice within the Northern Executive is unlikely to take place until the new year. The British and Irish governments and most Northern parties expect devolution to happen early in the new year – otherwise there is the danger of political crisis.
The parties will study the proposals before issuing definitive responses. During prime minister’s question time in the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Robinson welcomed publication of the package but made no commitments on when policing and justice powers might be transferred.
Mr Brown said a “secure Northern Ireland” was the key to a more prosperous North.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said the package was generous. “It is designed to meet the concerns expressed by the parties in key areas and should give confidence that the supports are in place to move to the next phase in the process of consolidating partnership government in Northern Ireland,” he said.
Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward effectively acknowledged that Mr Robinson faces some opposition on devolving policing powers from more right-wing unionists and from a minority within his party. “On balance I believe he sees the enormous gains that stand for Northern Ireland if shared power for policing and justice is taken; not least the potential jobs investment that will come to Northern Ireland as a result of the stability he will create,” he said.
The technical and complex package does appear generous and comprehensive. Mr Brown pledges that the Northern Executive “will have access to the reserve to meet any exceptional security measures relating to policing and justice”.