´óÏó´«Ã½

The Chief Constable estimated the cost of policing the North Belfast disorder as equivalent to a hospital ward or a primary school. But not to worry, if there's a return to widespread disorder surely we can dip into the UK national contingency fund to meet such extraordinary requirements, can't we?

Not so fast. Across in London I found the thinking at some of the highest levels of government is that the devolution of justice should now make the cost of policing the marching season the responsibility of the Stormont Executive.

Locally the focus has been on the actions of dissident republicans in encouraging young nationalists onto the streets. But in England many fail to understand why tradition should justify any Orange parade proceeding down a route where trouble might ensue.

In these tough economic times, if the Executive seeks more funds for policing future disorder it may provoke the response from London that re-routing a march could save the authorities both trouble and expense.

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?