Policing Devolution On Stormont Agenda

The devolution of powers over justice and policing to the Northern Assembly is firmly back on the political agenda today.

The Stormont Assembly and Executive Review Committee - which has been carrying out long-running investigations into how a Justice Department should operate - will meet Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward this morning.

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are due to meet the Committee this afternoon.

It will be the first meeting of its kind for Mr Woodward since the Hillsborough Castle Agreement, unveiled earlier this month, resolved the stand-off between unionists and republicans on the issue.

Nearly two weeks of round-the-clock talks between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein secured the deal that should see the transfer of the powers by April 12.

The Hillsborough agreement also laid out plans for an overhaul of the system for overseeing controversial parades to allow for greater local involvement in securing accommodations.

Mr Woodward will meet members of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee at Parliament Buildings.

In earlier encounters between the Secretary of State and the committee there had been clashes with unionists concerned over the cost of devolving the powers and establishing a new Department of Justice at Stormont.

But the Government has since tabled a near £1 billion package to fund the move.

Meanwhile, a radio advertisement promoting the Hillsborough Agreement may have to be pulled from the airwaves in cases where stations have not obtained clearance.

The advert, launched and paid for by the Office of the First and Deputy First Ministers, has been criticised by other political parties.

The regulator, Ofcom, has begun an investigation after the hardline TUV party complained the advert breached advertising law.

(BMcC/GK)