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PM trip aims to end N Ireland row | PM trip aims to end N Ireland row |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Gordon Brown is travelling to Belfast to hold talks with Northern Ireland's political leaders in a bid to resolve a deepening row at Stormont. | Gordon Brown is travelling to Belfast to hold talks with Northern Ireland's political leaders in a bid to resolve a deepening row at Stormont. |
Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists are at loggerheads over when policing and justice powers should be devolved from Westminster. | Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists are at loggerheads over when policing and justice powers should be devolved from Westminster. |
While Sinn Fein wants it to happen immediately, the DUP is more cautious. | While Sinn Fein wants it to happen immediately, the DUP is more cautious. |
But there are fears the increasingly bitter row could bring down the power-sharing executive. | But there are fears the increasingly bitter row could bring down the power-sharing executive. |
Relations between DUP First Minister Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have deteriorated in recent weeks. | Relations between DUP First Minister Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have deteriorated in recent weeks. |
Mr McGuinness has suggested that Mr Robinson might be having "cold feet" about a deal. | Mr McGuinness has suggested that Mr Robinson might be having "cold feet" about a deal. |
Mr Robinson retorted that Mr McGuinness was making a "one-sided nasty attack". | Mr Robinson retorted that Mr McGuinness was making a "one-sided nasty attack". |
Confidence | Confidence |
Sinn Fein says the transfer should have happened months ago, but the DUP says the Treasury must pay for it. The cost is thought to be in the region of £600 million. | Sinn Fein says the transfer should have happened months ago, but the DUP says the Treasury must pay for it. The cost is thought to be in the region of £600 million. |
Mr Robinson has also said the unionist community must have confidence in the new arrangements before he will give the go ahead. He said the transfer could not happen before Christmas. | Mr Robinson has also said the unionist community must have confidence in the new arrangements before he will give the go ahead. He said the transfer could not happen before Christmas. |
BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said Monday's talks are part of a series of meetings and no-one is expecting any kind of historic agreement today. | |
"What they say they have been doing is slowly narrowing down the issues in relation to finance," he added. | |
"There are a few complicating factors, one is that some of the financial estimates are a bit fluid." | |
Our correspondent said there could be difficulties "further down the road" if Sinn Fein was to conclude that the unionists were going to delay indefinitely on the matter. | |
"Lurking in the background is the thought - what if Sinn Fein were to try to pull the plug on the Executive or trigger an early election? | |
"Nobody is certain at this stage whether they might do that or not." |