“We need to seal the deal on the devolution of justice now. The Assembly should be the better for having a full share of powers under the devolved brief.
“The anger of the DUP/SF gerrymandering of the justice ministry deepens, as does the need for devolution. We need the legal powers to protect the vulnerable and better laws and ways to address the youth at risk and young people involved in crime.
“North-South is going slow and staying slow and a vital democratic part of the Good Friday Agreement is punching far below its weight.
“At the time of recession when money is tight, when we share a small part of this island, North-South should be going higher, wider and deeper. This is not happening on the DUP/SF watch and it doesn’t add up on any level.
“The First Minister and Deputy First Minister should publish the budget offer from the Prime Minister for the devolution of justice, whether the figures add up or if they are cobbled together.
“Behind the Gordon Brown offer, there’s a real temptation for the DUP that it will find ways to resist. The temptation will be to move it at a higher price for the devolution of justice. This may see damage to Patten, erosion of the Parades Commission and further challenges to the values of the Good Friday Agreement.
“The British government must hold secure to any of this.”
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