West Tyrone Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Doherty welcomes Assembly vote on policing and justice transfer

Published: 10 March, 2010

Local Sinn Féin MP, Pat Doherty has welcomed the vote in favour of the transfer of policing and justice powers from Britain to the Six Counties. The Vote was carried by a majority in the Assembly on Tuesday

Welcoming the passage of the vote regarding policing and justice transfer the local MP said:

"Despite the best attempts by the Ulster Unionist party to undermine this process the vote on the transfer of policing and justice powers from Britain to the Six Counties has been comfortably passed. What was played out publicly by the UUP on Tuesday was blatant electioneering.

"The vote now allows for the devolution of policing and justice powers on 12th April. And whilst this is long overdue, given that is an outstanding issue from the Good Friday Agreement signed 12 years ago, it is welcome nonetheless.

"It must be remembered the vast majority of people here support this move. This Irish government supports this move. The US administration supports this move. The British government supports this move.

"It was Sinn Féins insistence that this issue is finally moving forward. This vote now allows locally elected representatives to have a real and meaningful say on the huge issues of policing and justice and ensure that local people can take control of the issues affecting local people."CRÍOCH