Too many questions remain unanswered

Speaking during a budget debate in the Assembly on Monday, Ulster Unionist Finance Spokesperson, David McNarry MLA, expressed concern that "we are ill-prepared for the reality of administering policing and justice in Northern Ireland".

Pointing to a number of sticking points, including the role of the Attorney General and the Justice Sector of the North South Ministerial Council's, the Strangford MLA said that "whilst these issues do not incur significant costs we are nonetheless being asked by Sammy Wilson to agree funds to cover issues that there is still considerable uncertainty about".

"On the issue of parading - as yet unresolved by Hillsborough, he said: "we are being asked to agree a budget on an issue that has the potential to suffer from selected disruptive targeting"

"As we head into another summer there is concern amongst communities that we are heading towards renewed controversy as opposed to lasting resolution"

"Whilst this motion will secure some certainty for the next financial year, it also illustrates to us how vague thinking still is when it comes to the actual functioning of the Justice Ministry and our long-term financial planning.

"We are entering into the most fiscally uncertain period this Assembly has ever known. In May 2012 the sunset clause will also kick in and the institutions will be thrown into further uncertainty; we cannot go on forever in placing the Alliance Party - a political Party with no democratic mandate - into this role.

"We have serious reservations about the workings of the department of justice and its medium and long-term future.

"The DUP and Sinn Fein have a long way to go before they convince people that we are prepared for this responsibility. The devolution of policing and justice is only three weeks away; at present there are too many unanswered questions".