Martin seeks justice devolution in North
Mr Martin was speaking at a panel discussion chaired by former US president Bill Clinton. Mr Clinton devoted a section of his annual global initiative conference to the peace process.
Northern First Minister Peter Robinson, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward also attended the discussion.
Mr Martin said full devolution on police and justice matters was needed for stability and economic recovery in the North: “Political stability is always a pre-requisite for economic success and... while tremendous political progress has been made in Northern Ireland through the implementation of the Good Friday and St Andrews’ Agreements, there is a significant step yet to take in completing the devolution of policing and justice.
He said devolution of policing and justice powers is important in its own right but also as a statement of what the North is and how far it has come: “It is a statement to those small few on the extremes still intent on division and violence that the path we are on goes forward not back and that we are resolute in following it.
“Getting this right will allow us to better focus our energies on common economic challenges — securing investment, protecting jobs, and getting optimal value for scarce public resources.
“From the Irish Government’s perspective, North -South co-operation and a focus on the all-island economy has always made sense. Now in a time of economic difficulty the impetus is even greater to cooperate to compete on a global stage.
“The European Union, which has been a consistent supporter of the peace process, continues to offer support to the consolidation of peace.
“Moreover, as we saw at last weekend’s Global Irish Economic Forum there is a tremendous resource in terms of ideas and support available from friends of Ireland around the world, and in particular, from our steadfast and many friends in the United States.”
