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

SDLP 'hypocritical' in their approach to the transfer of policing and justice - Murphy

Published: 26 September, 2009

Sinn Féin MP for Newry/Armagh, Conor Murphy, has said that the SDLP have become confused over their position on the devolution of policing and justice powers to Ireland. Mr. Murphy was commenting after the SDLP announced that they were now opposing the legislation in transfer of powers on policing and justice.

Following an Assembly debate on the legislation Mr Murphy said:

"The SDLP have announced that they are now opposing the legislation which would allow the transfer of powers on policing and justice. This is completely hypocritical given that they have been demanding to be given the job of a future justice minister for months. This of course requires this legislation to pass.

"This is just further evidence of the complete and total disarray which now governs that party's approach.

"Similar to their approach to the Mandelson policing legislation when they voted for, against and abstained in the course of that Bills legislative passage they are once again completely confused when it comes to the transfer bill.

"The UUP/SDLP coalition never even brought the subject up policing and justice powers to the negotiation table during their time in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister. Now as we are on the brink of securing its devolution they have opposed the legislation. This is extremely disappointing."