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Northern Ireland crisis talks: Ulster Unionists angry over agenda | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Ulster Unionist Party say they will not return to talks on Wednesday unless the Provisional IRA's existence is the first item on the agenda. | |
A fresh round of cross-party talks to resolve the crisis sparked by the murder of a former IRA member have ended for the evening. | |
Police believe IRA members may have been involved in the shooting of Kevin McGuigan Sr. | Police believe IRA members may have been involved in the shooting of Kevin McGuigan Sr. |
Sinn Féin has denied this and maintains the Provisional IRA no longer exists. | Sinn Féin has denied this and maintains the Provisional IRA no longer exists. |
Tuesday's talks lasted about two hours. | |
Earlier, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers told MPs she did not believe the time was right to suspend the devolved institutions. | Earlier, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers told MPs she did not believe the time was right to suspend the devolved institutions. |
However, she said she would keep the option open if circumstances changed dramatically. | However, she said she would keep the option open if circumstances changed dramatically. |
On his way into the talks, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said any decision about suspending Stormont would be "beyond Ms Villiers' pay grade". | On his way into the talks, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said any decision about suspending Stormont would be "beyond Ms Villiers' pay grade". |
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the secretary of state's comments contrasted with a recent conversation he had with the prime minister, in which David Cameron did not indicate he was ready to suspend Stormont. | Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the secretary of state's comments contrasted with a recent conversation he had with the prime minister, in which David Cameron did not indicate he was ready to suspend Stormont. |
The DUP's Finance Minster Arlene Foster said she was happy that Ms Villiers was keeping the suspension option open for the future. | The DUP's Finance Minster Arlene Foster said she was happy that Ms Villiers was keeping the suspension option open for the future. |
She said the secretary of state had told the politicians the talks would be intensive and focussed. | She said the secretary of state had told the politicians the talks would be intensive and focussed. |
'No quick fixes' | 'No quick fixes' |
Alliance leader David Ford said his party did not want any quick fixes, but a resolution of Stormont's longer-term problems. | Alliance leader David Ford said his party did not want any quick fixes, but a resolution of Stormont's longer-term problems. |
Last week, Alliance supported a DUP request for a voluntary adjournment of the Stormont assembly to create space for negotiations. | Last week, Alliance supported a DUP request for a voluntary adjournment of the Stormont assembly to create space for negotiations. |
However, Mr Ford said that in the light of the DUP blocking executive meetings, his party would not support any more adjournment motions. | However, Mr Ford said that in the light of the DUP blocking executive meetings, his party would not support any more adjournment motions. |
The Ulster Unionists also released a paper calling for £20-£25m of what they described as unspent legacy funding to be diverted towards mental health care. The UUP argue this could help ease Stormont's financial impasse. | The Ulster Unionists also released a paper calling for £20-£25m of what they described as unspent legacy funding to be diverted towards mental health care. The UUP argue this could help ease Stormont's financial impasse. |
The talks are also being attended by Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan. | The talks are also being attended by Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan. |
On his way in he expressed disappointment about what he described as the British governments unilateral action in indicating it will impose welfare reform if there is no agreement. | On his way in he expressed disappointment about what he described as the British governments unilateral action in indicating it will impose welfare reform if there is no agreement. |
However, Mr Flanagan said he understood this would only be a last resort and hoped the talks would be successful making welfare legislation via Westminster unnecessary. | However, Mr Flanagan said he understood this would only be a last resort and hoped the talks would be successful making welfare legislation via Westminster unnecessary. |
The current talks are expected to last four to six weeks. | The current talks are expected to last four to six weeks. |