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SDLP in talks with Irish premier SDLP in talks with Irish premier
(about 10 hours later)
SDLP leader Mark Durkan will lead a party delegation to meet Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen in Dublin later. SDLP leader Mark Durkan has led a party delegation to meet Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen in Dublin.
The meeting is expected to focus on a range of issues, including the devolution of policing and justice. The meeting focused on a range of issues, including the devolution of policing and justice.
It comes ahead of an executive meeting in Belfast where ministers will examine proposed legislation on the transfer of these powers to Stormont. He said the SDLP wanted to "maximise the potential of the devolution project and the north-south bodies".
Mr Durkan said he would also be raising the issue of north-south cooperation at the meeting in Dublin. "The SDLP once again reiterated our position that a North-South approach remains the road-map for a better future for all the people of Ireland."
"This meeting is a good time to take stock with the Irish government, for making progress in relation to the devolution of justice and policing and trying to achieve completion and the settlement of the political institutions," he said. Mr Durkan said "North-South business should not be closed down and or pared back to suit different parties".
"We also want to encourage the Irish government to be very positive and active in trying to push forward a stronger and ever developing north-south cooperation, particularly in the context of the budget challenges we face north and south." "We noted our deep concern that the whole North-South project has been frustrated in number of areas since the restoration of political institutions. The DUP has been culpable while Sinn Fein has been compliant," he said.
Mr Durkan said they emphasised "that the devolution of justice and policing powers must take sooner rather than later".
"There is no room for any political party to take its eye off the ball. It is critically important to the devolution project that we get over the line on this issue," he said.
The delegation also met Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore.