‘DON’T DIVIDE US ON POLICING WOODWARD URGED - EMPEY
In a statement today UUP Leader Sir Reg Empey said,
“Last week Nigel Dodds said that the devolution of policing and justice was ‘not on the agenda.’ I beg to differ. Far from not being on the agenda, for both the Government and the republican movement, it is top of the agenda.’
If it is not on the agenda, why did the Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, make it the principal point in his New Year message? Why did Gerry Adams, in an increasingly rare intervention, raise the issue before Christmas, calling for the implementation of all of the St Andrews Agreement? Why did Ian Paisley jr raise it in a recent interview?’
All of this activity, and its re-branding by the Secretary of State as the ’second phase of devolution’ tells Ulster Unionists that it is a top priority for 2008 and beyond.’
The developments of last week in the Eames/ Bradley debate over ‘amnesty and a potential reclassification of the ‘troubles’ as a ‘war’ indicate possible linkage between these two key issues. This is not a healthy development.’
Nigel Dodds has already said that he did not see devolution of policing and justice taking place in his political lifetime. In light of developments, how credible is this? It is widely known that the Northern Ireland Office is totally focused on devolving police powers. What I think is a mistake is to link this exclusively to the standing down of the IRA’s so called army council. This is not the only important matter to be considered. It is however, the one area where republicans have bargaining power with the Government. This is where the link to the kite flying of last week over dealing with the past could carry grave dangers for all of us.’
Most people do not see further devolution to Stormont as a key issue going forward. People want to see the Assembly delivering better services for health, housing and the economy generally. If the key aim of the Executive is to grow the economy, then lets all focus on that as we run up to the economic conference in May. Let us get Stormont to work for the people rather that side track the whole political process with endless rows over devolution of policing and justice.’
I think the parties can unite on the economy this year. Shaun Woodward should not be seeking to divide us on policing issues where disagreement is inevitable.”