North Belfast DUP MLA Nelson McCausland has hailed the announcement regarding the devolution of justice powers as a good deal for Unionism. The DUP MLA lambasted Jim Allister’s scaremongering by pointing out that that all sensible unionists will welcome the announcement. Mr McCausland outlined the concerns which unionists had about the devolution of justice powers to Stormont and underscored how they had been resolved. Mr McCausland said, “It is sad that on a day when a good deal has been announced for unionists Jim Allister has his focus on doing the work of republicans by scaremongering that the deal is a success for republicans. Such foolish speak simply reinforces the argument that there are some people in society who wouldn’t know a good deal if it hit them.
The key concerns for unionists around the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont were outlined in our policy papers and in our 2007 Manifesto – which Jim Allister helped write. The 2007 Manifesto outlined very clearly that the Party was in favour of devolving policing and justice in the right circumstances.
Our concerns about devolving these sensitive powers have been satisfactorily dealt with;
All sensible unionists will welcome that politicians will have no role in the appointment of judges thus protecting the independence of the judiciary.
All sensible unionists will welcome that there will be no Sinn Fein Minister of Justice as the cross-community vote gives the DUP a veto on who the Minister would be.
Finally, all sensible unionists will welcome that the DUP’s Triple-Lock, on when the powers would be devolved, is still in place.
Contrary to Jim Allister’s scaremongering, this process represents a good way forward, one which can see the devolution of Justice in a way which can command the support of unionists in Northern Ireland.”
The key concerns for unionists around the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont were outlined in our policy papers and in our 2007 Manifesto – which Jim Allister helped write. The 2007 Manifesto outlined very clearly that the Party was in favour of devolving policing and justice in the right circumstances.
Our concerns about devolving these sensitive powers have been satisfactorily dealt with;
All sensible unionists will welcome that politicians will have no role in the appointment of judges thus protecting the independence of the judiciary.
All sensible unionists will welcome that there will be no Sinn Fein Minister of Justice as the cross-community vote gives the DUP a veto on who the Minister would be.
Finally, all sensible unionists will welcome that the DUP’s Triple-Lock, on when the powers would be devolved, is still in place.
Contrary to Jim Allister’s scaremongering, this process represents a good way forward, one which can see the devolution of Justice in a way which can command the support of unionists in Northern Ireland.”