Britain publishes bill on restoring devolution
Thursday, 16 February 2006 16:22
The British government has published legislation which it hopes will assist the moves to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Bill proposes to give the Northern Secretary power to call a snap election in the autumn as a means of restoring the Assembly prior to its scheduled date in May 2007.
The bill would enable Peter Hain to transfer policing and justice powers to any future Northern Ireland Assembly.
Ahead of the publication of the bill, the DUP said the policing proposals had been 'stained by Sinn Féin'. Both Sinn Féin and the SDLP criticised the role envisaged for MI5 in intelligence gathering.
Meanwhile, although the power-sharing government remains in suspense, talks are continuing with the parties about how Stormont could be restored.
Although the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has postponed a visit to Northern Ireland due next week, the Political Development Minister, David Hanson, remains optimistic about the potential for a settlement.
Mr Hanson met some of the political parties this morning.
With Sinn Féin's Ard Fheis due this weekend, it is expected the future of policing in Northern Ireland will be among the issues for debate.
Next week, Mr Hain and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, will co-chair a further round of discussions at Hillsborough Castle.
- Morning Ireland: Declan McBennett explains the forthcoming proposals that will allow for a speedy return of devolved government in Northern Ireland and permit the NI Secretary to call snap elections
- One News: Michael Fisher reports on the publication of the Northern Ireland Bill, which the British government hopes will assist moves to restore devolved government in NI
