Northern Ireland clears devolution hurdle

09/03/10 18:54 CET

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It has been described as the boldest step since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and the last stage in devolution.

Northern Ireland’s Assembly has passed a motion clearing the way for the full transfer of police and justice powers from London to Belfast next month.

This was the first major hurdle for the Hillsborough Castle Agreement, signed between the power-sharing partners Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party.

Under the terms of the deal, Belfast will have its first justice minister by April 12.

More about: Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

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