Justice devolved 'by end of 2008'

Mr Woodward was speaking during Northern Ireland Questions

The secretary of state has said he believes responsibility for policing and justice will be devolved this year.

During Northern Ireland Questions at Westminster, Shaun Woodward said he believed the required confidence would be established by the end of 2008.

"Opinion polling shows more than 60% of people now want the executive and the assembly to make progress on the second stage of devolution," he said.

However, the DUP's Nigel Dodds said the issue was "not on the agenda".

"And will he (Shaun Woodward) accept that continuing to push against a door that is not only locked but triple-locked is totally counterproductive?" he asked.

Mr Woodward said he agreed with the SDLP leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan that devolving policing powers would help the battle against dissident republicans.