---

Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

It is actually a critical issue, because the way that policing and justice powers will be devolved to Northern Ireland will put such powers in the hands of the Assembly, where there is now a mountain to climb. The criteria that we have consistently adopted is that we could not be in government with those who are linked to parties involved in paramilitary and criminal activity. Out of the blue, the hon. Lady’s party has decided to put itself in that position, having condemned Sinn Fein—[Interruption.] I will give way to her if she wants to speak on the issue.