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Governments optimistic on justice Governments optimistic on justice
(1 day later)
The British and Irish governments are optimistic about the devolution of policing and justice powers, NI Secretary Shaun Woodward has said.The British and Irish governments are optimistic about the devolution of policing and justice powers, NI Secretary Shaun Woodward has said.
Mr Woodward was speaking after meeting Irish foreign minister Micheal Martin at Hillsborough on Tuesday.Mr Woodward was speaking after meeting Irish foreign minister Micheal Martin at Hillsborough on Tuesday.
He said they both were sure the DUP and Sinn Fein could find a way to resolve their differences on the way forward.He said they both were sure the DUP and Sinn Fein could find a way to resolve their differences on the way forward.
Mr Martin said the fact they were meeting was a demonstration of the very strong commitment of both governments.Mr Martin said the fact they were meeting was a demonstration of the very strong commitment of both governments.
Sinn Fein wants to see immediate devolution of policing powers but the DUP has said it must be conditional on "community confidence".Sinn Fein wants to see immediate devolution of policing powers but the DUP has said it must be conditional on "community confidence".
Personal problemsPersonal problems
The party warned before Christmas that the Stormont administration would be in "deep trouble" if policing powers were not devolved soon.The party warned before Christmas that the Stormont administration would be in "deep trouble" if policing powers were not devolved soon.
Mr Martin, asked if the personal problems in the Robinson and Adams families had impacted on the process, said there were "unexpected developments that posed challenges on a personal level".Mr Martin, asked if the personal problems in the Robinson and Adams families had impacted on the process, said there were "unexpected developments that posed challenges on a personal level".
Mr Woodward said he and Mr Martin were sure the parties could find a way forward.Mr Woodward said he and Mr Martin were sure the parties could find a way forward.
"We are both confident that there is no issue on the table that the political parties and political leaders can't find a way of resolving and we won't give them artificial deadlines, it's for them, the parties, to work out," he said."We are both confident that there is no issue on the table that the political parties and political leaders can't find a way of resolving and we won't give them artificial deadlines, it's for them, the parties, to work out," he said.
"We remain optimistic that the problems that there are, the challenges there are, can be overcome and we believe the political parties have made progress on the issues and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead.""We remain optimistic that the problems that there are, the challenges there are, can be overcome and we believe the political parties have made progress on the issues and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead."
Mr Martin said: "We have continually encouraged the parties here to work towards the devolution project, particularly policing and justice. BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said the meeting of the two men had not taken place under ideal circumstances.
"We have taken stock of the situation today and it's our view that we would encourage and urge all parties to continue to work towards the resolution of the outstanding issues." "Instead of a being in a decisive position we are instead in a bit of a hiatus which is linked to the personal problems that both major parties have been experiencing."
"The Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has had the controversy over his brother Liam and then there was Iris Robinson's announcement of her retirement due to ill health.
"That's been followed by Peter Robinson being out of circulation for a week which raises an element of doubt about how realistic it is for the governments to broker a compromise this week."