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/8455165.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Party talks at "a serious stage" | Party talks at "a serious stage" |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Gerry Adams has said talks between Sinn Fein and the DUP over the devolution of policing and justice powers are at a "sensitive and serious stage". | Gerry Adams has said talks between Sinn Fein and the DUP over the devolution of policing and justice powers are at a "sensitive and serious stage". |
| Mr Adams described the discussions as "hugely important" but would not comment on details. | Mr Adams described the discussions as "hugely important" but would not comment on details. |
| The leaders of the UUP, SDLP, PUP and Alliance have been summoned to Stormont Castle by the Secretary of State. | The leaders of the UUP, SDLP, PUP and Alliance have been summoned to Stormont Castle by the Secretary of State. |
| BBC Political Editor Mark Devenport said the "mood music seemed to indicate there was something afoot". | BBC Political Editor Mark Devenport said the "mood music seemed to indicate there was something afoot". |
| 'Under duress' | 'Under duress' |
| The UUP leader Sir Reg Empey described his discussion Secretary of State Shaun Woodward on Tuesday afternoon as "useful" but said his party would have to see the shape of a deal on policing and justice before committing to supporting it. | The UUP leader Sir Reg Empey described his discussion Secretary of State Shaun Woodward on Tuesday afternoon as "useful" but said his party would have to see the shape of a deal on policing and justice before committing to supporting it. |
| He added that he was very concerned that any agreement could appear that it has been negotiated by the DUP under duress. | He added that he was very concerned that any agreement could appear that it has been negotiated by the DUP under duress. |
| Mr Robinson, whose conduct is being investigated, is leading the DUP talks | |
| Mr Woodward will hold talks with the Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin on Tuesday evening. | Mr Woodward will hold talks with the Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin on Tuesday evening. |
| The intensified talks are taking place as Arlene Foster spends her first day in office after taking over as acting first minister. | The intensified talks are taking place as Arlene Foster spends her first day in office after taking over as acting first minister. |
| She is standing in for Peter Robinson, who has stood side for six weeks in order to clear his name over an allegation surrounding his wife Iris' personal and financial conduct. | She is standing in for Peter Robinson, who has stood side for six weeks in order to clear his name over an allegation surrounding his wife Iris' personal and financial conduct. |
| She obtained £50,000 from two developers to help her teenage lover begin a cafe business. She kept £5,000 of the money for herself. | She obtained £50,000 from two developers to help her teenage lover begin a cafe business. She kept £5,000 of the money for herself. |
| When Mr Robinson found out about the payments, he did not tell the proper authorities, despite being obliged by the ministerial code to act in the public interest at all times. | When Mr Robinson found out about the payments, he did not tell the proper authorities, despite being obliged by the ministerial code to act in the public interest at all times. |
| Confidence | Confidence |
| Sinn Fein and the DUP have been at loggerheads for months over transfer of justice and policing powers from London to Belfast. | Sinn Fein and the DUP have been at loggerheads for months over transfer of justice and policing powers from London to Belfast. |
| Sinn Fein has warned that progress needs to be made quickly or the power-sharing government could collapse. | Sinn Fein has warned that progress needs to be made quickly or the power-sharing government could collapse. |
| DUP MP Gregory Campbell said on Tuesday that the community still did not have enough confidence to devolve the powers to Stormont. | DUP MP Gregory Campbell said on Tuesday that the community still did not have enough confidence to devolve the powers to Stormont. |
| "We have to work until it is and when it is and we can verify that, we then proceed - but not until then," he said. | "We have to work until it is and when it is and we can verify that, we then proceed - but not until then," he said. |
| "It doesn't matter how many first ministers come and go, it doesn't matter how many scandals there are or aren't, that remains the issue." | "It doesn't matter how many first ministers come and go, it doesn't matter how many scandals there are or aren't, that remains the issue." |
| The British and Irish governments see the transfer of policing and justice as the last piece of the devolution jigsaw. | The British and Irish governments see the transfer of policing and justice as the last piece of the devolution jigsaw. |