Time for Assembly to act on devolution - Cowen and Brown

TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen and British prime minister Gordon Brown yesterday agreed that it “is time” for the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly “to act” on the devolution of justice and policing powers.

The two men met for more than an hour at 10 Downing Street yesterday, though both were careful not to become embroiled in the personal difficulties that have forced First Minister Peter Robinson to stand down temporarily.

Mr Brown said some people had questioned whether the recent turbulence in Northern Ireland politics would slow progress on the issues, particularly on the devolution of policing and justice.

He said the negotiations under way between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party were “evidence that the parties are serious about completing the job”, Mr Brown told journalists.

“We know that these discussions are never easy. Years of hard talks in Northern Ireland have taught us that, but the Taoiseach and I stand united in the conviction that early completion of devolution is achievable.

“With courage and collaboration between the parties this is possible. For our part, we will do whatever it takes to offer our support to their efforts to ensure that the people of Northern Ireland get the stable and prosperous future that they deserve,” he said.

Mr Cowen and Mr Brown both refused “to contemplate failure”, with Mr Brown saying: “I don’t contemplate failure in any of the discussions that I am involved in. I believe that the groundwork has been done.

“I believe that there are issues that are still to be resolved, but it is not for me and it is not advisable to give a running commentary on the talks that are taking place. But what I see is the possibility of moving forward here.

“The devolution of policing and justice completes a process that people have wanted to see happen and the remaining obstacles to it happening can be removed.”

Questioned directly about Mr Robinson’s difficulties, Mr Brown said: “Whatever circumstances that have been happening [and] that have been turbulent, I think the momentum for the talks is something that is very positive.”

Similarly, the Taoiseach refrained from speaking directly about Mr Robinson.

“I don’t wish to comment on the private affairs of the Robinson family, only to wish them well and to say that the acting First Minister, Arlene Foster, we know well.

“She is an impressive and capable politician and we note that there has been a very constructive engagement taking place between the parties,” said Mr Cowen, who left for Dublin immediately after the meeting.

He went on: “It would not be helpful for us to comment, or speculate today on details of those negotiations. The issues have been under discussion for some time, and, in our view, are ready for agreement and resolution.”

Privately, people in both governments are increasingly hopeful that a deal can be reached between Sinn Féin and the DUP, though the potential for last-minute difficulties is acknowledged.

Both men condemned the recent attack by dissident republicans on the Catholic Police Service of Northern Ireland constable, which Mr Cowen described as “a despicable and cowardly act”.

“He is, if you like, in many respects the embodiment of all the transformation and progress which has been made in the whole policing area: a Gaelic-speaking, GAA-playing police officer and a person who is committed to peace and justice in Northern Ireland; and we send him and his family all of our very best wishes.

“That attempted murder is also a wake-up call for all right-thinking persons on these islands to renew our commitment to the Good Friday and St Andrews agreements, to the devolved institutions and also to complete the devolution of justice and policing powers.

“This is the best and most effective way to answer the murderous few who want to wreck the peace and stability that Northern Ireland can now enjoy,” said Mr Cowen, who was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin.