The leader of the Alliance party in Northern Ireland said he believes Stormont's power-sharing administration is mature enough to take responsibility for justice and policing affairs.
David Ford told his party conference that the political reaction to recent murders showed that things have changed.
Since 1972 Westminster, not Stormont, has appointed Northern Ireland's minister for Justice and Policing.
The House of Commons has passed legislation to allow Stormont take charge.
Following the recent murders of a PSNI officer and two British soldiers, all Northern Ireland's parties had a common response.
It is being suggested that the Alliance Party and David Ford specifically will be offered the justice ministry and could be in place after the European elections before the end of the year.
