Justice transfer 'next big thing'

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The transfer of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Executive must be a priority in 2008, Gerry Adams has said.

In his Christmas message, the Sinn Fein president identified this as the next key step in the development of the Stormont institutions.

The NIO has earmarked May next year as a possible date.

But unionists claim there is not yet sufficient public confidence in republicans to justify the move.