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Wed 2nd December
Mr Durkan said the First Minister and deputy First Minister had failed to come back to parties for more meetings as promised following initial discussions in October.
He said: “The SDLP believes that policing and justice powers should be devolved as a matter of urgency and have been arguing this for a long time now.
“That is what we want to see delivered even though we have misgivings about what has been agreed in the Justice Bill for the election of a justice Minister.
“The Final Stage of the Bill removes the excuse or pretence that the legislation itself is the big deal, and that it will give us the devolution of justice and policing.
“Many issues remain outstanding and we need to get on top of those issues properly and competently.
“The deputy First Minister talks about a lack of phone calls from other parties. The truth is both the First Minister and deputy First Minister have failed to convene further meetings with party leaders and delegations as promised earlier this year. We are still waiting but can wait no longer.
“If people are serious about addressing the outstanding issues surrounding the devolution of policing and justice then let’s do just that.
“If this is on a cross-party basis, through the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister convening meetings of all parties, we are entirely up for that.
“If people want to do it in some other way on a cross-party basis, we are more than willing to take part.”
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