What happens now?

With the formal vote requesting policing powers out of the way, the focus of the Hillsborough deal now moves in the next few weeks to parading.

Legislation currently being drafted to implement a different way of dealing with contentious parades is expected before the end of the month.

By which time a separate working group set up to examine issues left unresolved in the St Andrews Agreement, may also have reported.

Early next month the Stormont Assembly is due to assume responsibility for the parades legislation in a process which will last to the end of the year, with key dates including:

Monday, April 12 — devolution of policing and justice powers

Tuesday, June 8 — public consultations on the parades bill finishes

Tuesday, June 15 — parades bill is finalised

Late June/ early July — Executive approves introduction of the Bill by December

September — Bill goes through Assembly stages perhaps by accelerated passage

November/ December — Consideration stage of Parading Bill and Royal Assent. I0th March 2010 Belfast Telegraph