This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8291862.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
NI policing talks move to London NI policing talks get under way
(about 10 hours later)
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. First and deputy first ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness are holding talks at Downing Street on the devolution of policing powers.
First and deputy first ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, have been invited to talks in Downing Street on Tuesday. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is making another attempt to get Northern Ireland's two largest parties to agree on when the powers should be devolved.
On Monday Mr Brown held a series of meetings at Stormont on devolving policing and justice powers to NI. On Monday, Mr Brown held a series of meetings at Stormont on the issue.
Government sources said good progress had been made during the talks. Mr McGuinness and Mr Robinson held separate talks with him and afterwards both agreed there had been progress.
Mr McGuinness and Mr Robinson held separate talks with the prime minister on Monday and both agreed there had been progress.
"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."
The cost of a devolution deal is thought to be in the region of £600m.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.It is understood that the DUP has submitted an eight-page dossier to Mr Brown.
ConfidenceConfidence
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.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.
"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," he added."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.
Relations between the first minister and deputy first minister have deteriorated in recent weeks.Relations between the first minister and deputy first minister have deteriorated in recent weeks.
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.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.
The DUP said the unionist community must have confidence in any new arrangements before they sign up to them.The DUP said the unionist community must have confidence in any new arrangements before they sign up to them.