Woodward is hopeful over handover

Mr Woodward has began his first full week as NI secretary

The new Northern Ireland Secretary has said he sees no reason why the devolution of policing and justice in NI cannot be delivered by May 2008.

"I see no reason to think this cannot be delivered by people in Northern Ireland," Shaun Woodward said.

He was speaking as he began his first full week in office by meeting Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde.

Mr Woodward, who was appointed by Gordon Brown last week, is holding a number of meetings on Monday.

He said he wants to play his part in achieving the devolution of policing and justice powers.

"It is the people of Northern Ireland who want this to happen, whether it is the secretary of state for Northern Ireland, whether it is the chief constable or its politicians in the executive and the assembly, they are all here to serve the people of Northern Ireland," he said.

The government hopes to hand the powers over to the executive by May 2008, but the DUP has indicated that this timetable will not be met.