Adams in talks over transfer of justice powers

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams will be in Dublin today to hold talks with his party on the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Belfast.

Mr Adams will meet Sinn Féin leadership on the issue at Leinster House.

The group will also be discussing the party’s ongoing campaign to oppose the Lisbon Treaty.

Earlier this month, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for the swift transfer of policing and justice powers to the Stormont Executive.

The St Andrews Agreement, signed in 2006, earmarked a May deadline for the hand-over.

However First Minister the Ian Paisley firmly ruled any early transfer of powers until a number of conditions were met, including the IRA Army Council being disbanded.