Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward (British) yesterday insisted he was confident policing powers would be devolved by the end of the year.
He told MPs there was a "growing appetite" for criminal justice matters to be handed over to the Assembly, despite admitting earlier this week that the May deadline might not be met.
Unionists and Tories questioned Mr Woodward over the plans in the Commons yesterday, warning him of was stiff opposition to the transfer.
But when asked if he thought stage two of devolution would go ahead in 2008, the Secretary of State said: "I do, because I see this is something the people of Northern Ireland want... The appetite for devolution of policing and criminal justice I judge is growing in Northern Ireland.
Scotland already has the powers over justice, the North of Ireland is going to get them - Wales needs them!