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Devolution failure 'unthinkable' Obstacles to devolution 'removed'
(about 4 hours later)
Politicians in NI have been warned against trying to delay or stop the introduction of devolution next month. All remaining obstacles to devolution in Northern Ireland have been removed, according to the secretary of state.
Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson said if an executive was not formed by the 26 March date set by London and Dublin the assembly would be dissolved. Peter Hain was responding to questions in the House of Commons about the prospects for power-sharing on March 26.
He said that date was set down in the St Andrews Agreement. Assembly elections take place on 7 March. Meanwhile, Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson said if an executive was not formed by 26 March the assembly would be dissolved.
Mr Hanson said: "After everything that has been done to get us to this point it would be unthinkable to fail now". He said that date was set down in the St Andrews Agreement.
He was speaking after the third Reading of the Justice and Security Bill in the House of Commons. Elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly are due to take place on 7 March.
He said: "Anyone who is basing their political strategy on pushing devolution beyond March 26 or trying to stop devolution altogether will find that they will be left behind." Speaking during Northern Ireland Questions on Wednesday, Mr Hain said if there was continued delivery on support for policing and the rule of law from Sinn Fein, there would be no reason for any unionist not to join a power-sharing executive on 26 March.
DUP MP Willie McCrea said the DUP's position was "condition-led, not calendar-led".
However, Mr Hain described devolution as a "tremendous prize" for all parties and said if it was missed it would lead to a "very bleak future" for Northern Ireland for a very long time.
On Tuesday, Mr Hanson warned politicians against trying to delay or stop the introduction of devolution next month.
All that has happened since the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis has reinforced our view that 'delivery' can and will be done by May 2008 David HansonCriminal Justice Minister
Speaking after the third Reading of the Justice and Security Bill in the House of Commons, he said: "Anyone who is basing their political strategy on pushing devolution beyond March 26 or trying to stop devolution altogether will find that they will be left behind."
He said the point had come for local politicians where the process outside office must end so progress in office could begin.He said the point had come for local politicians where the process outside office must end so progress in office could begin.
He warned: "If the executive is not formed on 26 March 2007, the assembly will dissolve and the world will move on.He warned: "If the executive is not formed on 26 March 2007, the assembly will dissolve and the world will move on.
"After everything that has been done to get us to this point it would be unthinkable to fail now.""After everything that has been done to get us to this point it would be unthinkable to fail now."
All that has happened since the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis has reinforced our view that 'delivery' can and will be done by May 2008 David HansonCriminal Justice Minister
Northern Ireland's politicians from all sides had shown immense endurance, courage and leadership during the darkest days, he said.
"They must not lose that endurance, courage and leadership now when it is needed most," said the minister.
Mr Hanson said the Northern Ireland of 2007 was not the Northern Ireland of 1977 and could move forward to the day when the devolution process was complete.Mr Hanson said the Northern Ireland of 2007 was not the Northern Ireland of 1977 and could move forward to the day when the devolution process was complete.
That, he said, would come with the devolution of policing and justice powers which the government had said should be achieved by May 2008.That, he said, would come with the devolution of policing and justice powers which the government had said should be achieved by May 2008.
"All that has happened since the Sinn Fein ard fheis has reinforced our view that 'delivery' can and will be done by May 2008," said Mr Hanson."All that has happened since the Sinn Fein ard fheis has reinforced our view that 'delivery' can and will be done by May 2008," said Mr Hanson.
Road mapRoad map
He added: "Provided Sinn Fein continue to follow through on the clear commitment that they have given to support for policing and the courts - in the terms set out in paragraph six of the St Andrews Agreement - then there is absolutely no reason why those powers will not be devolved in May 2008."
The Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended in 2002 amid allegations of a republican spying ring.The Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended in 2002 amid allegations of a republican spying ring.
In October 2006, Ireland and the UK negotiated the St Andrews Agreement - a road map towards the restoration of the power-sharing government.In October 2006, Ireland and the UK negotiated the St Andrews Agreement - a road map towards the restoration of the power-sharing government.
A new power-sharing executive is due to be formed on 26 March.A new power-sharing executive is due to be formed on 26 March.