Wilson welcomes publication of Hillsborough Agreement
East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has welcomed the Hillsborough Agreement, saying that it allows devolution of policing and justice to take place on terms that are acceptable to unionists.
“I welcome the agreement which was negotiated at Hillsborough and I look forward to discussing it with my constituents in East Antrim during the consultation period.
The DUP has held the view that the devolution of policing and justice powers to the NI Assembly can only take place when the terms were right. We believe that we have now reached that point.
Because of DUP negotiation, there will be no Sinn Fein Justice Minister, politicians will not have the power to appoint judges, there will be no further all Ireland bodies, the parades commission will not be in place by this time next year and we have secured an extra £800million for the police and judicial system. Sinn Fein demands for an Irish Language Act have been refused.
These are the right terms and conditions under which Policing and Justice can be devolved. I understand that many people in the community have questions that they want to ask about this agreement, and I look forward to answering these and hearing their views.
Of course there are those in Northern Ireland who will oppose everything and propose nothing. Jim Allister is one such man who pronounced his opposition to the agreement before it was even published. This demonstrates that he does not care about what has been negotiated but is stuck in ‘no’ mode and refuses to get out of it. But the TUV have lost all credibility on the policing and justice issue. They have consistently misrepresented our position and have peddled lies about the way in which devolution would operate and I believe that many people are coming realise that the TUV is only interested in whipping up misinformation and fear so to make themselves relevant.
I would encourage people to read the agreement and see for themselves the terms that have been negotiated and I believe that they will welcome and support the merits of it.”
Tags: hillsborough agreement, policing and justice, sammy wilson
