Written question asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 March 2009.

Northern Ireland Assembly: Policing and Justice

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will provide further details on the indication given the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Shaun Woodward, that the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein have agreed a "way forward" on the devolution of policing and justice to the Northern Ireland Assembly; and whether the statement was made following the matter being discussed at and agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive.

Answer: On 18 November 2008 the First and Deputy First Minister announced they had agreed a process, the completion of which would see the devolution of policing and justice to the Northern Ireland Assembly. They asked the Assembly and Executive Review Committee to produce a report on the modalities of devolution. This report was debated in the Assembly on 20 January 2009 and approved on a cross-community basis before it was noted by the Northern Ireland Executive.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 1965; 709 c50WA
Session: 2008-09
Subjects: Administration of justice Devolution Northern Ireland Police Northern Ireland Assembly
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk