Transfer of policing and justice powers confirmed

An Taoiseach Brian Cowen and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown were today launching a deal to save the North's power-sharing government – confirming it will take on policing and justice powers from April 12.

The deal between the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin includes new plans on overseeing parades.

The deal comes after nearly two weeks of round-the-clock negotiations and brings an end to fears that the power-sharing government could have collapsed on the policing, justice and parades stand-off.