Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Assembly bill brings Policing and Justice transfer one step closer - Murphy

Published: 15 September, 2009

Speaking as the bill to bring forward the Transfer of Powers on Policing and Justice went before the Assembly for its first reading, Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy said:

"Sometime ago Sinn Féin and the DUP agreed and published a process which would see the transfer of powers on Policing and Justice away from London and into the hands of locally elected and accountable politicians.

"The first reading of the Bill in the Assembly is the latest stage in working through that process. The next stage must be to set a date for transfer to take place.

"This is an issue of political will. Communities are calling out for more responsive and accountable policing and criminal justice structures which can respond to their needs. Local politicians taking the responsibility to deliver in this key area with local communities having then a real voice is the only way that this can happen.

"Sinn Féin is satisfied that the wider community want to see this process quickly concluded in the time ahead."