The Programme for Government Committee in Northern Ireland can resolve outstanding differences over policing and justice, Peter Hain insisted today.
As MPs studied the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill that was published yesterday, there were concerns that a row between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionists over a date for transferring policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont could derail plans to revive power sharing at Stormont next March.
But Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Hain said: "There is time for us to resolve this matter. "I am quite comfortable where we are right now. There is no doubt that the devolution of policing and justice is a very important issue.
"However there are Programme for Government Committee meetings over the coming months and I'm sure it will be on the agenda," he said.
The Programme for Government Committee was originally due to meet at Stormont within days of the St Andrews plan for reviving evolution being published.
However concerns over a ministerial oath, led to DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley initially pulling out of the meeting, which would have seen him discuss the priorities of incoming power sharing administration at a meeting with Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.
Mr Hain postponed the meeting to resolve the pledge of office dispute and address DUP concerns about Sinn Féin not being prepared to publicly endorse Police Service of Northern Ireland.
The emergency legislation being rushed through Parliament over the next week contained an oath which would compel power-sharing ministers next March to support the police and uphold the rule of law.
However Mr Paisley and Sinn Féin chief negotiator Martin McGuinness will not be swearing the oath next week when the Transitional Assembly meets for the first time following the legislation's passage through Parliament.
PA