Maginness nominated for Justice Minister post 09/02/2010 - 11:03:48
The SDLP's Alban Maginness was today nominated to become the first Justice Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive.
Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionists withheld their choices - which are expected to be decisive - and the talks are expected to continue for some time ahead of next month's Assembly vote.
The parties spent 10 days in Hillsborough Castle talks chaired by Taoiseach Brian Cowen and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown about devolving policing and justice powers from London to Belfast.
A separate meeting about loyal order parades is being held today.
Nationalist SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie said: "There should not be any departure from the democratic principles as enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement."
Mr Maginness is former lawyer who represents north Belfast in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Ms Ritchie said she had agreed to participate in more bilateral meetings with First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. She is also holding talks with Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin tomorrow.
"We in the SDLP want policing and justice delivered as quickly as possible but there should not be any corruption of democracy in terms of the appointment," she added.
Alliance Party leader David Ford published proposals for a programme for government for policing and justice. He said he would not allow himself to be put forward until his party's demands were met.
"We need to see progress on building a shared future for the people of Northern Ireland and we need to see a group conversation for the Department of Justice which would ensure that it delivers for all of the people of Northern Ireland," he said.
He admitted there had been some "frostiness" at today's Stormont meeting but added Sinn Féin and the DUP were prepared to engage.
"Since last Friday there has been constructive and positive engagement, certainly through yesterday. There remains work to be done but the Alliance Party remains committed to doing that."
His party's proposals said: "There are considerable inefficiencies and cost pressures within the criminal justice system and work to manage scarce resources more efficiently and effectively must be intensified to ensure a sustainable level of public service."
Ulster Unionist leader Reg Empey said little substantive progress had been made today but was not expected at the first meeting. It was rescheduled from last night as he had a prior commitment.
