A committee report on the devolution of policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland has been completed.
The Assembly and Executive Review Committee dossier will be circulated around Assembly members for Tuesday’s crucial cross-community vote on whether to approve the transfer of powers from London to Belfast.
It covers finances, including dealing with the extra £800 million promised by the British prime minister, as well as issues such as police claims for compensation for hearing loss.
The budget for the justice department including the police, courts and other agencies is £1.382 billion. A small proportion has been held back by the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) for reserved matters such as national security.
It is understood the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) is making provision for the new attorney general, expected to be John Larkin QC, to address the Assembly.
The report will be released to Assembly members ahead of Tuesday’s debate which Sinn Féin and the DUP hope will give the go-ahead for powers to be devolved on April 12th.
Some areas around the protocols have not been finalised. Issues which have not been fully agreed by the committee include:
- The justice minister’s position within the Executive.
- Parading, although there was a measure of agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP on the issue at Stormont and the matter did move forward in the latter days of the committee.
- Protocols on some relations within the justice apparatus.
- Mandates.
PA