Kelly describes agreement on transfer of powers on Policing and Justice as significant

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has described the agreement between Sinn Féin and the DUP on transfer of Powers and Policing and Justice as significant.
“This is a significant agreement and follows on from very detailed and considerable hard work in recent months and weeks,” said the Republican representative.
“The agreement deals with the issue of transfer of powers on Policing and Justice in a comprehensive fashion; the detail of which is contained in the joint letter to AERC; in the Process Paper, and in the statements from the Joint First Ministers.
“Taken with the agreement between Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson in July we believe this is the basis on which all the publicly expressed concerns about policing and justice powers will be resolved, including who will be the Justice Minister.
“Sinn Féin and the DUP have also agreed how we will tackle a number of uncontentious but very important issues, such as hardship relief and economic matters.
“A number of social, economic and culture matters, including for example Acht na Gaeilge and post Primary Education, continue to be work in progress.
“We have also agreed that the Executive will meet this Thursday 20th November and Ministers will also discuss the first draft of a paper detailing measures to deal with the financial hardship being faced by many people and related matters, issues which we have been in discussions with the British government on resolving.
“Sinn Féin has been consistent in all of this, the Executive and other political institutions must operate on the basis of equality and partnership.
“We believe these agreements are capable of gaining the confidence of the community.”