Calls to disband Army Council 'a distraction', says SF

Calls for the IRA's Army Council to disband are a distraction, Sinn Féin insisted today.

The First Minister's opposition to May devolution of policing and justice powers does not reflect the view of people on the ground, the party's policing spokesman Alex Maskey added.

He was speaking after Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown supported the transfer to local decision making.

Speaking of the Army Council, Mr Maskey said: "It is a distraction, there are more important issues which affect us on a day to day basis which are about the delivery of good policing, about the community having a say as to how that is done."

Many unionists have called for the IRA's ruling council to go to help build confidence ahead of the handing over of security responsibilities.

Ian Paisley has maintained his party would not be bullied by the Irish and British leaders, and demanded talks with Mr Brown.

However, Mr Maskey said: "We believe that people are very motivated to see this happening, there are many in the local community who do want to see these matters dealt with by local representatives."

After talks in Manchester yesterday, Mr Ahern and Mr Brown said the time was right for politicians in the North to take the final steps towards assuming control over police and the courts.

However, Mr Paisley said: "Our 2007 election manifesto stated quite clearly that this move 'can only happen when there is the necessary support within the community'. As First Minister, I have absolutely no intention of bringing such a proposal to the Assembly as the necessary conditions do not exist.

"I do not sense any desire amongst the electorate for the devolution of policing and justice. Therefore I do not foresee a proposal being brought to the Assembly in the near future.

"I have asked the Prime Minister for an urgent meeting to discuss this issue."

Mr Maskey also said DUP Culture Minister Edwin Poots' claim that republicans had abandoned their goal of a united Ireland in eight years' time was wrong.

"There are no guaranteed outcomes for us but with the bedding down of the political institutions more people will see the logic of doing things on an All-Ireland basis and that includes unionists," he said.

"Many are already doing business on an All-Ireland basis, calling for harmonisation of corporation tax.

"Unionism already accepts that Northern Ireland is a failed economic entity and can't work on its own."