DUP MLAs react to Hillsborough agreement

They said, “The DUP has been in favour of devolving Policing and Justice subject to there being sufficient community confidence for it.

“We have been pressing on a number of issues to ensure that the necessary public confidence emerges which would allow it to proceed.

“As part of that our party negotiated a better financial package when others urged us to end negotiations and to proceed to devolve these powers. We ignored those calls and obtained a proper level of financial support for the devolving of these powers.

“We have also ensured a 20million package for the PSNI Part Time Reserve many of whom served during the worst of the Troubles. We have made successful representations for many of those who have been trying to obtain personal protection weapons.

“One of the long-running issues has been a campaign of protests against parades. Sinn Fein continuously refused to align themselves with the twin track strategy which we outlined; namely that parading must be resolved as well as Policing & Justice. SF were reluctant to commit to guarantees on one side while demanding them on the other.

“Both at the outset of the Assembly process on Parading and Policing & Justice, and then throughout the process a decision rests with the DUP and over which SF have no control, that ensures the direct linkage of the two matters.

“This will ensure that for one issue to conclude the other must do likewise.”