CONGRATULATIONS

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined the chorus of congratulations last night as the Assembly voted yes to a Justice Minister.

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She threw her weight behind the move along with the British and Irish Prime Ministers as well as PSNI chief Matt Baggott.

Mrs Clinton said: "I commend the Northern Ireland Assembly today for its affirmation of the Hillsborough Agreement and its endorsement of the devolution of policing and justice, an important step in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for all of the people of Northern Ireland for generations to come."

Out of the 105 votes cast in the Assembly, just 17 voted against it. Policing and justice will now be devolved on 12 April after a 38- year gap.

In a joint statement Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Taoiseach Brian Cowen said: "This is a significant step forward for the people of Northern Ireland, with overwhelming support from all sections of the community.

"It sends a clear message of confidence in the future, and commitment to build on the gains of the peace process that have been achieved over the last 12 years.

David Cameron was accused of "naked opportunism" by backing Ulster Unionists - putting the peace process in danger, it was claimed.

H e ev e n rejected a direct p l e a f r o m former President George W Bush to use his influence to get the Unionist to back the agreement.

Former Northern Ireland minister David Cairns said: "The politics of Northern Ireland are too important to try to engineer a partisan political advantage. Whenever this has been tried in the past it has ended in tears."

During the Assembly debate, First Minister Peter Robinson attacked the UUP saying: "I believe it is time for us all to move forward. There must be no going back to the bad old days.

"Throughout history there are times of challenge and defining moments. This is such a time. This is such a moment.

But Sir Reg Empey hit back saying he would not sign up for a deal until outstanding matters - such as the row over post-primary education - are sorted out.

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The East Belfast MLA added: "We are a party for the devolution of justice, but it is the conditions to which we are coming.

"We have not had a single solitary discussion at leadership level of what we are going to do with policing and justice. It is a bit Replica Prada like doing your driving test without doing your driving lessons."

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness added: "The UUP are on record as stating that they will not support local administration of policing and justice until there is agreement to test 10 and 11- year-old children to determine which school they will attend.

"I have to say that these are the most dysfunctional political positions I have ever come across." The widow of murdered police officer Stephen Carroll appealed for politicians to "just get on with it." Speaking on the first anniversary of her husband's death Kate Carroll said: "This morning has been very, very hard for me, and I would just ask everyone in Stormont to please get on with their job."

And the man tipped to get the Justice job said it was a "momentous day for Northern Ireland". Alliance leader David Ford added: "This is the start of
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