Ford Welcomed As Justice Minister

The Dublin Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, has welcomed David Ford's election yesterday to the position of Minister of Justice in the devolved Stormont Executive.

The Alliance leader is the first local politician to take responsibility for justice and policing in 38 years. He was confirmed in the post after securing cross-community backing from DUP and Sinn Fein Assembly members.

Speaking last night, Minister Martin said: "I congratulate David Ford on his appointment and wish him and his officials every success in their work.

"Building on the Good Friday Agreement, and consistent with the spirit and recommendations of the Patten Report, authority and responsibility for policing and justice issues is where they ought to be: at local level, accountable to, and operating for the benefit of all the people of Northern Ireland. This decision offers an opportunity to further consolidate and develop the achievements of the peace process," he said.

The policing and justice powers were officially transferred to Stormont on Sunday night, only to be greeted by an attack from republican dissidents on an Army barracks in Holywood, Co Down.

The attack is believed to have been timed to coincide with the official tranfer of powers; however, no one was injured in the incident.

Mr Martin added: "Those behind the bomb in Holywood should take note that the political process continues to move ahead. We stand firm, for peace and democracy. Today’s appointment of David Ford as Minister of Justice confirms our collective resolve.”

Mr Ford will be in charge of the department with more than 4,000 employees and a budget of nearly £1.5bn.

He is the first Northern Ireland Justice minister since Westminster took policing powers away from the old Stormont government in 1972.

(DW/GK)