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NI policing talks move to London NI policing talks move to London
(21 minutes later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to make another attempt to resolve the differences between Northern Ireland's two largest parties on policing. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to make another attempt to get Northern Ireland's two largest parties to agree a deal on devolving justice powers.
He held a series of meetings on devolving policing and justice powers to NI at Stormont on Monday. First and deputy first ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, have been invited to talks in Downing Street on Tuesday.
On Monday Mr Brown held a series of meetings at Stormont on devolving policing and justice powers to NI.
Government sources said good progress had been made during the talks.Government sources said good progress had been made during the talks.
First and deputy first ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, held separate talks with the prime minister on Monday. Mr McGuinness and Mr Robinson held separate talks with the prime minister on Monday and both agreed there had been progress.
Afterwards, both said that progress had been made.
"We are calm, we are behaving rationally, we are working through the issues," the DUP first minister, Mr Robinson said."We are calm, we are behaving rationally, we are working through the issues," the DUP first minister, Mr Robinson said.
Sinn Fein's Mr McGuinness said: "In terms of the financial situation, we are moving forward, I think fairly decisively."Sinn Fein's Mr McGuinness said: "In terms of the financial situation, we are moving forward, I think fairly decisively."
It is understood that the DUP has submitted an eight-page dossier to Mr Brown. Besides looking for more money for policing, the party is also seeking the retention of the police reserve and the freeing up of the supply of personal protection weapons to former members of the security forces. The cost of a devolution deal is thought to be in the region of £600m.
It is understood that the DUP has submitted an eight-page dossier to Mr Brown.
Confidence
Besides looking for more money for policing, the party is also seeking the retention of the police reserve and the freeing up of the supply of personal protection weapons to former members of the security forces.
The two parties have been at loggerheads over when the powers should be devolved from London.The two parties have been at loggerheads over when the powers should be devolved from London.
While Sinn Fein wants it to happen immediately, the DUP is more cautious and has said the transfer of powers will not happen before Christmas.While Sinn Fein wants it to happen immediately, the DUP is more cautious and has said the transfer of powers will not happen before Christmas.
Mr Robinson said his personal relationship with Martin McGuinness was not a factor in the issue.Mr Robinson said his personal relationship with Martin McGuinness was not a factor in the issue.
Confidence
"I am prepared and can work with anybody who has the same goals, which are to make the assembly and executive work for the benefit of Northern Ireland.""I am prepared and can work with anybody who has the same goals, which are to make the assembly and executive work for the benefit of Northern Ireland."
"I was not elected to be a buddy for Martin McGuinness, I was elected to work with him and that is why I am here." "I was not elected to be a buddy for Martin McGuinness, I was elected to work with him and that is why I am here," he added.
Mr McGuinness said the prime minister had not put a final figure to him on the cost of a settlement. Relations between the first minister and deputy first minister have deteriorated in recent weeks.
"If the British government really want this in place... they will come up with the money. Gordon Brown has reiterated that this will not fail because of money. Sinn Fein said the transfer of justice powers should have happened months ago and accused Mr Robinson of stalling because of pressure from hardliners in his own party.
"He said he was determined to deliver. We are very rapidly approaching make-your-mind-up time," he said. The DUP said the unionist community must have confidence in any new arrangements before they sign up to them.
Relations between the first minister, Mr Robinson and the deputy first minister, Mr McGuinness, have deteriorated in recent weeks.
Sinn Fein says the transfer of justice powers 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 £600m.
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.
The Conservative leader David Cameron has said if he becomes prime minister it would be his inclination to support whatever budget is agreed for devolving policing.
He said the Conservatives are committed to devolution - and the uncertainty over the budget could be helped if the government talked to him about it.