The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland has welcomed Tuesday’s historic vote to devolve police and justice powers to Northern Ireland.

Unionists and nationalists in the Northern Ireland Assembly voted 88 to 17 in favour of the agreement, the culmination of a 15-year process to end decades of division in Northern Ireland.

Dr Alan Harper said the vote had demonstrated the “importance and legitimacy of principled opposition” and the ability of “robust institutions to express difference whilst at the same time being committed to the acceptance of democratically endorsed decisions”.

“The people of Northern Ireland have shown a settled will to build a peaceful and inclusive future. The Churches have also consistently expressed their own commitment to peace and the delivery of a shared future,” he said.

“St Peter, quoting Psalm 34, urged his readers to ‘seek peace and pursue it’. The vote on Tuesday and the general reception in the community at its outcome is another significant step in pursuit of the truly peaceful society for which we all long.”

The deal means that for the first time in 40 years the police, courts and prison services will be answerable to Stormont instead of Westminster when powers are transferred on April 12.

The deal was passed despite the Ulster Unionists’ refusal to vote in support. It ends months of political wrangling between the parties that brought Northern Ireland’s power sharing government to the brink of collapse.

Conservative leader David Cameron came under fire for refusing to persuade the Tory-linked UUP to back the deal.

He defended his decision, saying the party could not force people to vote a particular way.