FIRST MINISTER and DUP leader Peter Robinson has stated that policing and justice powers “will be” devolved to the Northern Executive, while emphasising that those who believe unionists oppose such a move “just don’t get it”.
Sinn Féin continues to block meetings of the Executive until it receives a “timeframe” from the DUP for the transfer of policing and justice powers.
Mr Robinson did not provide an indicative date for this transfer, but he stressed that devolution of these powers was central to the DUP’s philosophy.
“Those who believe the DUP does not favour any form of policing and justice devolution just don’t get it,” he said at a DUP dinner in Lisnaskea celebrating the victory of Arlene Foster in the recent Fermanagh Council byelection.
“It is not only a manifesto commitment, but also a unionist ideal. It was our great unionist forefathers who first argued to get these powers into Stormont and a later generation of unionists who opposed them being removed.
“I want to see the return of policing and justice functions to Stormont, but, importantly, and as our manifesto clearly states, providing such powers are not placed in the hands of any Sinn Féin Minister,” he stated.
Sinn Féin and the DUP already have agreed that neither party will hold the justice and policing portfolio, at least not in the lifetime of this Assembly.
“We will not be pushed or bullied on this matter,” said Mr Robinson.
In comments clearly addressed to Sinn Féin, he said: “What we need to do now is not to blockade the Executive but to use the agreed processes and seek to reach agreement and build confidence in the community for this to take place.
“There is one certainty. Sinn Féin’s harmful obstruction of Executive business is eroding confidence, not only in devolving new powers, but in the devolution we have already achieved,” Mr Robinson said.
