Subscribe to the News Feed Newsback to News

Out of the 105 votes cast, a total of 88 were in support of the move, with only the UUP voting against.

The vote will lead to the creation of a Department of Justice for Northern Ireland after the powers are devolved by 12 April.

Policing and justice powers are back in the hands of local politicians for the first time in 38 years.

"Throughout history there are times of challenge and defining moments. This is such a time. This is such a moment," Mr Robinson said.

Read Ken Reid's blog: Anti-climax

On Tuesday deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness accused the Ulster Unionists of opposing the policing deal for "cynical party political reasons".

Mr McGuinness heavily criticised the UUP's stance as he tabled the motion which was eventually carried by parallel consent.

First Minister Peter Robinson also attacked the UUP decision to vote against devolution.

"I believe it is time for us all to move forward. There must be no going back to the bad old days of the past", he said.

"Leadership is not about what's easiest, or what best suits our party interests, it is about doing what is right for our people."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the completion of devolution sent a "powerful message to those who would return to violence".

"The politics of progress have finally replaced the politics of division in Northern Ireland", he said.

"The courage and leadership of the parties who voted to complete devolution at Stormont will be noted around the world."

'No'

Before the vote, Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy reserved his strongest criticisms for Sinn Fein and Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward.

He said Mr Woodward's attempts to persuade the party to back the deal had amounted to undue pressure.

"The Secretary of State, in my view, has behaved disgracefully, particularly over recent days, and his attempts to bully and to bribe and to blackmail this party, I think, has abused the high political office that he holds," said the UUP representative.

"He should pack his bags well in advance of the forthcoming general election."

Mr Kennedy also hit back at Mr McGuinness declaring that, when they tried to discuss the matter with him on Monday, they were asked to leave his office.

"The masked slipped and it wasn't make-over Martin, it wasn't Martin of the Ard Fheis and the autocue and the designer set of the RDS Dublin. It was more like the Martin from the Bogside", Mr Kennedy said.

"The problem is that the executive is not being run properly. It's being run for the two and the few and not for the many. Therefore we can't endorse the motion today".

The UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said that his party refused to bow to blackmail and bullying.

"Those of us who find ourselves, in good conscience, unable to support the motion, believe that the conditions are not yet right. We are doing what we were sent to this House to do - we are exercising our judgment", he said.

The SDLP voted in support of the devolution of policing and justice powers but leader Margaret Ritchie said she was highly critical of the wider Hillsborough deal.

She condemned plans to step outside the normal power-sharing selection process for ministerial posts, with the move set to see the smaller Alliance Party emerge as an agreed candidate for the new post of Justice Minister.

Alliance Party leader David Ford, who is tipped for the post, said the move would cement the peace process.

"There is no doubt that the devolution of justice is the last challenge that we face as an Assembly," said the South Antrim MLA.

Meanwhile, Conservative leader David Cameron insisted the Tories had played the "most constructive role we possibly could as an Opposition" in relation to Northern Ireland amid reports of a late intervention by former US President George Bush, urging the Conservatives to use their influence with Sir Reg.

He said President Bush had stressed in their conversation how crucial it was for everyone to back devolution.

But he said of his Ulster Unionist partners: "The one thing we cannot do is force people to vote a particular way.

"We have played a thoroughly constructive role, very, very supportive of what the Government wants to do and what we all want to do, which is to see devolution work properly."

Reactions

• Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Taoiseach Brian Cowen:

"This is a significant step forward for the people of Northern Ireland, with overwhelming support from all sections of the community.

"It sends a clear message of confidence in the future, and commitment to build on the gains of the peace process that have been achieved over the last 12 years."

• Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward MP:

"It is the vote of confidence in the peace process and the political process".

"This vote will enable me to lay Orders in Parliament to give effect to the devolution of policing and justice on 12 April, in line with the timetable set out in the Agreement at Hillsborough Castle".

• Northern Ireland Chief Constable Matt Baggott:

"This can only help us achieve the peaceful society that we all want, and that we are all striving towards."

"Devolution will strengthen our service. It will help to ensure that communities receive the policing service that not only they deserve, but that we are committed to delivering."

• Sinn Fein Assembly member Gerry Kelly:

"This is a good day for the political process. There had been people saying that this day would not happen. They have been proven wrong.

"The vote in the Assembly was overwhelming in the end. For their own reasons the UUP decided to oppose the transfer of powers. This was a mistake.

• Alliance Leader David Ford:

"This is a momentous day for Northern Ireland. This is the start of the process which will see politics here come of age.

"The public want grown-up government and delivery. They are sick of the politics of the playground, and politicians must catch up with the public in terms of attitude and action.

• UUP leader Sir Reg Empey:

"The DUP and Sinn Fein passed a motion to devolve policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly, brushing aside the concerns of the UUP and SDLP.

"As committed democrats, the UUP will accept the will of the Assembly and (...) will endeavour to ensure that the interests of law and order in Northern Ireland are maintained.

• Conservative leader David Cameron:

"We have long supported the devolution of policing and justice powers. Following today's vote this will now go ahead.

"Throughout this process the Conservative Party has at all times sought to play a constructive role, and we will naturally support the legislation at Westminster to give effect to the will of the Assembly.

"Concerns about the functioning of the Executive as a genuine four-party coalition prevented the Ulster Unionists from backing today's vote, and I hope these will now be resolved in a spirit of genuine partnership."

• TUV leader Jim Allister:

"I think the UUP was right to exercise some dignity and some self-respect. I think the maelstrom of pressure, international and otherwise, that has been attempted to be inflicted upon them has been quite obscene."

• Irish president Mary McAleese:

"Today's vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly represents an eloquent statement of confidence in the political institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement".

"It demonstrates that partnership politics are firmly taking root in Northern Ireland and that the devolved Assembly and Executive are courageously facing up to the challenges of delivering good government for all of the people they represent."

• US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

"I commend the Northern Ireland Assembly today for its affirmation of the Hillsborough Agreement and its endorsement of the devolution of policing and justice, an important step in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for all of the people of Northern Ireland for generations to come.

"Devolution will mark a major milestone in achieving the aspirations of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement, and will help cement the hard-won gains of the past decade."

• US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland Declan Kelly:

"The vote by the Northern Ireland Assembly builds on the important agreement that was announced last month, and I congratulate the Northern Ireland political leadership on this significant achievement."

© UTV News