The decision of the Northern Ireland Assembly to agree to the devolution of policing and justice powers will build on the gains of the peace process, the British and Irish governments have said.

Police Chief Matt Baggott also welcomed the vote on the transfer of the powers from Westminster, which was secured despite opposition from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).

The move underpins the Hillsborough Agreement brokered between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein to stabilise the region's power-sharing government.

The Assembly decision followed an acrimonious debate in which Ulster Unionists resisted pressure to support the move.

Former Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley arrives at Stormont Full Image

The vote will lead to the creation of a Department of Justice for Northern Ireland after the powers are devolved by April 12. Out of the 105 votes cast, a total of 88 were in support of the move - only the UUP voted against.

In a joint statement Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Taoiseach Brian Cowen said: "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.

"We congratulate all those who contributed to this important decision.

"We look forward to the completion of the devolution of policing and justice powers on 12 April. For its part, the British Government will now introduce the necessary transfer orders in Westminster to facilitate this timetable."

The Hillsborough Castle deal, signed after nearly two weeks of round-the-clock talks at the Co Down venue last month, promised delivery of the republican demand for the devolution of policing and justice powers, plus the unionist call for the creation of new systems to oversee loyal order parades.

The agreement was aimed at providing greater stability to the power-sharing administration, avoiding a threatened collapse of the institutions after a lengthy political stand-off on the devolution issue.