THE AXIS OF EVIL BACK IN BUSINESS....

Rather like Dracula rising from his coffin, the DUP/IRA axis has revived itself and the Stormont Executive is back in action. Naturally the establishment media and blogosphere has responded with a quick Hallelujah chorus and all is well again -- or is it? 

"The principal source of disagreement has been over the transferring of policing and justice powers to the Belfast executive. The DUP and Sinn Fein agreed in principle that powers should be transferred but the DUP favoured a longer timetable, arguing that time was necessary to build more public confidence. The two parties also objected to the idea of the other holding the justice post. In particular the DUP was dead against the possibility of Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly, a one-time IRA jail-breaker, taking over policing. There was also an impasse over a series of lesser issues, such as education, the status of the Irish language and the future of the Maze prison. While these remain unresolved, yesterday's negotiations produced an agreed document containing a road-map with more than 30 points, leading towards policing devolution. It lays out a path, involving six groups of actions, towards the transfer of powers, including legislation in both London and Belfast. It had already been agreed that for some time neither Sinn Fein nor the DUP will hold the justice post."

Note how a raft of contentious issues have apparently been left unresolved, whilst the central issue is announced as having being resolved even though it is impossible to determined what exactly has altered. Who gave in and on what and why? How does the DUP sell the idea that policing and justice will be devolved and not potentially fall into IRA hands? What tatty under-the-table deals have been done? Why was the DUP so anxious to cut a deal this side of Christmas? Time will tell. 

Comments

[Seamus]

"Why was the DUP so anxious to cut a deal this side of Christmas? Time will tell."

It is because of something that very few people are picking up on. The person most responsible for the Devolution of Policing and Justice to Northern Ireland is Diane Abbott. She has introduced a Private Members Bill to impose Abortion on Northern Ireland. Abortion is covered by Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland and if Criminal Justice Powers are devolved then Abortion Powers go with it. Under the Sewel Convention, Westminister can not legislate on a devolved matter and so Diane Abbott's PMB would be thrown out.

[David Vance]

Seamus,

Interesting observation. I also think there is some DUP internal reasoning behind this!

[Grizzly Mama / Troll]

time will tell you've been betrayed