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Autism centre 'is back on track' Ministers clash on justice powers
(20 minutes later)
An all-Ireland centre for children with autism is back on track after the Irish government ended a pause in funding. Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson have clashed publically for the first time over the devolution of policing and justice powers.
Irish prime minister Brian Cowen said his government would return to backing the Middletown Centre of Excellence. Mr McGuinness was asked if he would resign if he did not get a date for the devolution of justice before Christmas.
In May, the centre's future was in doubt, when the Dail withdrew finances citing economic pressure. He said he had an agreement with Mr Robinson, but it didn't contain pre-conditions on parading or going off on "a solo run" to Gordon Brown.
The decision was announced at a meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council, which involved Mr Cowen, and NI's First and Deputy First Ministers in Limavady. Mr Robinson shook his head and said he regretted the tone of the remarks.
Education departments in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic have been equally financing the Middletown project. The two men were addressing a news conference which followed the North/South Ministerial meeting in Limavady on Monday.
The centre was approved in 2002 but has only opened in a limited way. They were standing alongside Irish prime minister Brian Cowen and addressing questions put by journalists.
It is understood that £6m has already been spent on the centre. Mr McGuinness said he was speaking against the background of an agreement he had made with Mr Robinson 13 months ago.
It currently carries out research and training for professionals who work within the autism field, but the eventual aim had been to take children in. Earlier, Mr McGuinness said Sinn Fein had huge decisions to make. Mr Robinson said there should be "no cloud or threat" hanging over the institution.
The next stage of building a residential block for assessment and therapy, and employing extra staff, was at jeopardy because of the shortage of funds. The devolution of justice was not on the agenda of the North/South meeting.
At the meeting on Monday, plans to progress a new road project from Aughnacloy to Londonderry and on to Donegal were also agreed. The DUP and Sinn Fein are divided over the timing of the devolution of law and order powers to the assembly.
Peter Robinson, Martin McGuinness and Mr Cowen also discussed the economy and ways in which the North and South could cooperate. Mr McGuinness has accused Mr Robinson of delaying a deal and has called for agreement by Christmas to avoid a crisis.
Speaking prior to the meeting, Mr Cowen said it should be an opportunity to build for the future.
"The scale of the economic challenge facing everyone on this island is now fully recognised by all," he said.
"Meeting that challenge has called for resolute leadership in taking difficult decisions, as we build towards economic recovery.
"Resolute leadership has also been at the heart of the peace process and the transformation in relationships on this island in recent years."