Irish minister's DUP justice call

Micheal Martin said the Good Friday Agreement should be respected

The Irish foreign minister has urged the DUP to complete the devolution of policing and justice powers.

Last month, Prime Minister Gordon Brown revealed budget plans for the transfer.

Sinn Fein has already approved the deal but the DUP say the unionist community must have confidence in the plans and is seeking a number of concessions.

Micheal Martin told the Seanad that solutions about contentious parades could not be demanded as a prerequisite for progress in other areas.

Mr Martin said that all elements of the Good Friday Agreement should be respected and implemented.

Last week, DUP leader Peter Robinson told the Commons that issues of parading needed to be resolved before the transfer could take place.

He called for the Parades Commission to be abolished "to increase confidence in devolved policing and justice powers".

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said his comments were "unacceptable".