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Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

I listened carefully to the hon. Member for Blaydon (Mr. Anderson) and I have to say that some of his comments about the Bill do not really match the current situation. Passing the Bill will not necessarily have all the consequences for the future of Northern Ireland that he described, and, as many Members have already said, it is a hotch-potch. It is surreal to be here today debating the enabling framework for the devolution of policing and justice, at a time when devolution of all the other, much less contentious powers is still proving extremely problematic. Not many people in Northern Ireland think that the devolution of policing and justice to politicians in the Northern Ireland Assembly is going to happen any time soon, and nor will anyone in this House who examines the situation realistically and sensibly. People take the view that any devolution that involves Sinn Fein-IRA in the administration of crucial matters such as policing and justice is out of the question.