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| Ministers in justice powers clash | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson have clashed publicly for the first time over the devolution of policing and justice powers. | |
| Mr McGuinness was asked if he would resign if he did not get a date for the devolution of justice before Christmas. | Mr McGuinness was asked if he would resign if he did not get a date for the devolution of justice before Christmas. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Mr Robinson shook his head and said he regretted the tone of the remarks. | Mr Robinson shook his head and said he regretted the tone of the remarks. |
| The two men were addressing a news conference which followed the North/South Ministerial meeting in Limavady on Monday. | The two men were addressing a news conference which followed the North/South Ministerial meeting in Limavady on Monday. |
| They were standing alongside Irish prime minister Brian Cowen and addressing questions put by journalists. | They were standing alongside Irish prime minister Brian Cowen and addressing questions put by journalists. |
| Mr McGuinness said he was speaking against the background of an agreement he had made with Mr Robinson 13 months ago. | Mr McGuinness said he was speaking against the background of an agreement he had made with Mr Robinson 13 months ago. |
| 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. | 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 devolution of justice was not on the agenda of the North/South meeting. | The devolution of justice was not on the agenda of the North/South meeting. |
| The DUP and Sinn Fein are divided over the timing of the devolution of law and order powers to the assembly. | The DUP and Sinn Fein are divided over the timing of the devolution of law and order powers to the assembly. |
| Mr McGuinness has accused Mr Robinson of delaying a deal and has called for agreement by Christmas to avoid a crisis. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "Resolute leadership has also been at the heart of the peace process and the transformation in relationships on this island in recent years." |