First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness confirmed today they have brokered a deal to stabilise the North's power-sharing government.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin have agreed a process to devolve policing and justice powers from Westminster, ending a lengthy dispute on the issue.
The agreement does not have a timetable, but both parties committed themselves to completing the process.
First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness confirmed their deal will see Cabinet meetings resume from this Thursday.
The agreement follows meetings in the DUP and the Sinn Féin ardchomhairle at the weekend at which justice devolution, education reform and other major differences between the republican and unionist parties were discussed.
The deal ends a stand-off that has threatened to derail the power-sharing government, which only took office in May 2007 after a painstaking process.
The political leaders today released documents detailing the process that will lead to the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Assembly, including the appointment of John Larkin QC as an attorney general for Northern Ireland.
Following the agreement, Stormont’s Assembly and Executive Review Committee will now prepare the way for the creation of a new Department of Justice.
Under the instructions passed to the committee by Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness, responsibility for judicial appointments will rest with the Judicial Appointments Commission.
The process will include negotiations with British prime minister Gordon Brown on securing financial support for the new ministry.
It will also involve the preparation of legislation at Westminster, the selecting of the new minister and efforts to build the confidence of the community in the new arrangements.
“We believe these agreements are capable of gaining the confidence of the community,” said Mr Robinson.
Mr McGuinness echoed the First Minister’s words, and said: “Significant progress has been made in resolving these matters. We both want devolution to happen without undue delay.”
Mr McGuinness said the Executive will hold weekly meetings in an effort to work through the backlog of issues that has built up over the last five months.
Today's breakthrough has been welcomed by Taoiseach Brian Cowen and by Gordon Brown.
Additional reporting: PA
