Policing and Justice NI

The Devolution of Policing and Justice to Northern Ireland (the north) has become a sticking point for Sinn Fein and the DUP. Had it not been for recent revelations about the secrets and lies within two of Northern Ireland's most high profile political families, one wonders of this policing and justice issue would not already have been put to bed.

The Democratic Unionist Party (Protestant/pro-British)wanted to send out a message to its community that government was working, that the Unionist community in Northern Ireland could rest assured that the rights of Ulster Protestants to remain British would be guaranteed.

Sinn Fein (Catholic/pro-United Ireland)wanted the same message to go out to the Catholic people of Northern Ireland. That Sinn Fein could help deliver a return to normality in Northern Ireland. Had it not been for the revelations about child sexual abuse within the family of Sinn Fein, President, Gerry Adams, perhaps Sinn Fein could have delivered more easily.

The problem for both Sinn Fein and the DUP is that Northern Ireland is a small place and mud sticks. It was interesting that when the British Prime Minister, Gordon Browne and the Irish Prime Minister, Brian Cowen meet recently, they decided to have that meeting in London. Is it the case that neither Prime Minister now wants to be in a photo shoot with either Peter Robinson (DUP) or Gerry Adams (Sinn Fein).

I personally believe that Sinn Fein and the DUP can deliver on policing and justice, certainly in terms of taking that step forward. The problem for many ordinary people both Protestant and Catholic is wether Sinn Fein and the DUP can be trusted with Policing and Justice. If Policing and Justice were in the control of Sinn Fein would they conceal criminality. If the DUP had control of Policing and Justice would corruption go unpunished. These are simply questions now being asked by the ordinary people.

Soon Northern Ireland will have a general election. That general election could leave both Sinn Fein and the DUP with a bloody nose. The DUP have already been forced into talks with other pro-union parties to see if they can run single canditates in constituencies that are presently represented by nationalist politicians, when they should have Unionist representitives. This has historicslly happened as Unionists have run several candidates and split the Unionist vote. This would be a very sound move for unionists, the problem is, how will the people react.

Sinn Fein for their part will continue to get votes. The majority of Sinn Fein's vote comes from areas that have long since been forgotten by the State and its cheer leaders. However, at the European elections last year Sinn Fein lost 18,000 votes. In the Republic Sinn Fein are in rapid decline. How the people will judge the latest revelations about Gerry Adams, we will just have to wait and see.

At the end of the day, wether that day be before or after the general election, a deal will be done on Policing and Justice. I think Sinn Fein and the DUP can deliver. I think that the focus must now be on delivery, whatever the personal difficulties of political cartels. by theirishobserver.blogspot.com.