BRITISH PRIME minister Gordon has pressed Assembly members and Ministers in the Executive to "set the date" for the devolution of justice powers.
Addressing them in the Assembly chamber at Stormont yesterday, he said leaders in Northern Ireland "must reach agreement among themselves and set the date for the transfer of policing and justice from the Secretary of State to a justice minister in and of Northern Ireland."
In a direct challenge to unionists, especially those in the DUP who remain opposed to the early transfer of justice, he portrayed the transfer of justice and policing powers as "the completion of devolution". Devolution, he said, "is much more than the final step in a process, it is the creation of a whole new permanent future for Northern Ireland."
"To falter now, to lose the will that has defined your progress, would be worse than a setback, it would put at risk everything that has been achieved by the work and sacrifice of the past decade and more." Pressing sceptical Assembly members who believe public confidence in support of an early transition does not exist, the prime minister said: "Have confidence . . . continue your work and reach that final settlement." He said his government stood ready to help through a smooth transition.
Northern Ireland he said had the respect of the world thanks to the functioning of the Stormont institutions since the return of devolution. He acknowledged the contribution of Bertie Ahern, Tony Blair, Bill Clinton and others in bringing about the new political dispensation. The outcome of the new political process was now in the hands of locally-elected representatives. It was an inspiration for the whole world.
Citing the latest Independent Monitoring Commission report on the status of the IRA army council, Mr Brown said the Provisionals no longer posed any paramilitary threat to the political process. He condemned dissident violence and he commended the PSNI in tackling those bent on bringing down the new political institutions.
"You have made history but you have more history to make," he said. Polling found that fewer than 10 per cent were utterly opposed to the devolution of policing powers. He looked to the day when the transfer was seen as the only thing to do.
"I urge you to continue your crucial work in this Executive and Assembly to finish the job and complete a journey not just of a generation, but of centuries," he said.
"I believe we have gone beyond our crossroads in history and this is no time to turn back, or to stall or delay.
"None of us should be in any doubt about the importance of this. Because in the agreement you reach here among yourselves, in the transfer of these powers back from Westminster, the world will see you affirm that stability is here to stay."