Consideration Stage

Part of Executive Committee Business – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 5:30 pm on 10 November 2009.

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Photo of John O'Dowd John O'Dowd Sinn Féin 5:30, 10 November 2009

I am always enlightened by the Deputy Speaker. As for the SDLP amendments and contributions, they seem to base their arguments on the premise that Armageddon will commence if agreement is not reached within 30 months. However, their amendments state that, if agreement is not reached within 14 days of the devolution of policing and justice, Armageddon will commence. I would much prefer to place my bet on a 30-month timescale than a 14-day one. I believe that we can achieve agreement. It is not guaranteed — nothing is guaranteed in life, especially not in politics — but I am sure that agreement will not be reached within 14 days.