Another Very Good Friday

Monday 08 February 10

by Shauneen - Member of the Belfast WIMPS crew

Following the agreement of a deal on the devolution of policing and justice on Thursday night Northern Ireland could see Policing and Justice powers devolved to the country as early as the 12th April.

All members of the DUP present at the talks voted unanimously for the deal. The devolution of these powers depends on a cross-community vote which will be held at Stormont on the 9th March. The disagreement over the deal has been threatening to collapse the power-sharing government at Stormont leaving many communities frustrated with the executive.

The deal also contains new arrangements for loyalist parades but DUP assembly members remain confident that the deal will satisfy the marching orders. The deal was welcomed across most parties including Sinn Fein, the DUP, Alliance and the SDLP. The UUP have said they will need to take some time to understand the contents of the deal fully, after having been excluded from the talks. Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice described the DUP members involved in the talks as “snowmen who had melted”.

Gordon Brown has been quoted as saying “We are closing the last chapter of a long and troubled story and we are opening a new chapter for Northern Ireland”. Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Taoiseach Brian Cowen are in the country through the day.