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Policing talks to continue in NYC 'Crunch time' for policing talks
(about 6 hours later)
The first minister has dismissed the deputy first minister's assertion that a deal on policing and justice could be concluded later this week. Martin McGuinness has said that a deal on the devolution of policing and justice is "very close" and that it is "crunch time".
Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness were speaking after talks in London with the prime minister on Monday. The deputy first minister said "very significant progress" had been made in talks on Monday and last week.
He and First Minister Peter Robinson have been discussing the issue with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
On Wednesday, they will attend an economic conference in New York where talks will continue.On Wednesday, they will attend an economic conference in New York where talks will continue.
Both ministers said progress had been made in their discussions over a budget for policing and justice. However, Mr Robinson had earlier dismissed the deputy first minister's assertion that a deal on policing and justice could be concluded later this week.
Mr Robinson said they discussed a wide range of issues but no overall deal had been agreed.Mr Robinson said they discussed a wide range of issues but no overall deal had been agreed.
"As the prime minister was able to make offers on some elements, we will now consider these in greater detail," he said."As the prime minister was able to make offers on some elements, we will now consider these in greater detail," he said.
Meetings
"A number of big-ticket issues remain outstanding and have not been addressed by the government, however, the prime minister has given a commitment to deal with these matters later this week."A number of big-ticket issues remain outstanding and have not been addressed by the government, however, the prime minister has given a commitment to deal with these matters later this week.
"Whilst I will be travelling to New York on Wednesday morning, I have made it clear that these financial discussions will not be concluded in the States. "Whilst I will be travelling to New York on Wednesday, I have made it clear that these financial discussions will not be concluded in the States.
'Community confidence'
"As far as I am concerned, the party will not be concluding the financial deal until the party officers and our assembly group have evaluated the package and are satisfied.""As far as I am concerned, the party will not be concluding the financial deal until the party officers and our assembly group have evaluated the package and are satisfied."
He said community confidence remained the crucial test for devolving policing and justice powers.He said community confidence remained the crucial test for devolving policing and justice powers.
The deputy first minister, Mr McGuinness, said progress was significant and he was hopeful a deal could be concluded later this week. Meanwhile, the man tipped to be the policing and justice minister has written to NI's four main parties asking for talks.
"I said last week that I thought we had made good progress," he said. Alliance leader David Ford said he wants the meetings so that agreement can be reached "on the widest possible basis".
"I think we've made further good progress - even significant progress - in the course of our discussions this evening around a range of issues that are of concern to us.
"We are hoping to conclude our discussions on all of this in New York on Wednesday."