Blaney and Murphy welcome policing and justice deal in Northern Ireland

The Co-Chairs of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, Niall Blaney TD, and Paul Murphy MP, have wholeheartedly welcomed the deal on the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly by 12th April. Deputy Blaney and Mr Murphy said the deal put in place one of the final pieces of the jigsaw in a process that began almost 20 years ago.

The Co-Chairs also welcomed the financial package to support the transfer of policing and justice, and the announcement from the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, that there will be a major economic conference for Northern Ireland in the Spring.

Deputy Blaney said "I wish to pay tribute to the work of the Taoiseach, the British Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and all the political parties in the North who contributed to today's agreement.

"While the process was not straightforward, the perseverance displayed by everyone - and the determination of the Taoiseach and Prime Minister in particular - demonstrates their commitment to creating the more peaceful and democratic Northern Ireland that its people deserve."

Mr Murphy added, "As a former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I know the work that goes into these negotiations. I believe that one of the last remaining hurdles to securing the long and lasting peace in Northern Ireland that we have been working towards for so long.

"With policing and justice now hopefully concluded, we can now concentrate on confronting the major social, environmental, and economic issues that confront us all. In this regard, today's deal creates an extremely positive backdrop to the upcoming 20th anniversary plenary conference of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Cavan later this month (22nd-23rd February) when the Taoiseach will give a keynote address on the economy."

ENDS