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/8456277.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Robinson 'in the loop' on talks Robinson 'in the loop' on talks
(about 3 hours later)
Peter Robinson will return "within days" as the DUP's chief negotiator in talks to resolve the deadlock with Sinn Fein, a party colleague has said.Peter Robinson will return "within days" as the DUP's chief negotiator in talks to resolve the deadlock with Sinn Fein, a party colleague has said.
Nelson McCausland said reports about Iris Robinson had not weakened the DUP in talks about moving policing and justice powers from London to Belfast.Nelson McCausland said reports about Iris Robinson had not weakened the DUP in talks about moving policing and justice powers from London to Belfast.
On Tuesday, NI Secretary Shaun Woodward urged unionists to reach a deal to transfer the powers to Stormont.On Tuesday, NI Secretary Shaun Woodward urged unionists to reach a deal to transfer the powers to Stormont.
Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams said talks were at a "sensitive and serious stage".Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams said talks were at a "sensitive and serious stage".
He called the talks "hugely important" but would not comment on details. He called the talks "hugely important" but would not comment on details, while his colleague Gerry Kelly said Mr Woodward's comments and the intense media focus were a hindrance.
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.
The intensified talks took place as Arlene Foster began work as acting first minister of Northern Ireland. The intensified talks took place as Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster began work as acting first minister of Northern Ireland.
It's a very important time for all unionists to realise that now is the time to complete devolution Shaun WoodwardNI secretary It's a very important time for all unionists to realise that now is the time to complete devolution Shaun WoodwardNI secretary class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8299103.stm">Q&A: NI Policing and Justice
She is standing in for Peter Robinson, who has stood aside for six weeks in order to clear his name over an allegation surrounding his wife Iris's personal and financial conduct. She is standing in for Mr Robinson, who has stood aside for six weeks in order to clear his name over an allegation surrounding his wife Iris's personal and financial conduct.
BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said DUP sources were telling him Mr Robinson is still "in the loop" during the negotiations, which both sides have described as constructive. Earlier on Wednesday, BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said DUP sources were telling him Mr Robinson is still "in the loop" during the negotiations, which both sides have described as constructive.
"Whilst the noises from Sinn Fein were more positive than last week, they have not given us any detail so it's difficult to assess where we're at."Whilst the noises from Sinn Fein were more positive than last week, they have not given us any detail so it's difficult to assess where we're at.
"Sinn Fein want movement on this to allow the necessary legislation to go through Westminster before the general election."Sinn Fein want movement on this to allow the necessary legislation to go through Westminster before the general election.
"However, the DUP has been insisting on community confidence first - you could say on one hand it's a big job to build community confidence in such a short period of time, while on the other this has been going on for months if not years already.""However, the DUP has been insisting on community confidence first - you could say on one hand it's a big job to build community confidence in such a short period of time, while on the other this has been going on for months if not years already."
Sticking pointSticking point
Our correspondent said the sticking point seemed to be how to deal with Orange Order parades.Our correspondent said the sticking point seemed to be how to deal with Orange Order parades.
The DUP wants to replace the Parades Commission, which adjudicates on the routes of contentious marches, with an alternative body along the lines of interim proposals by a group headed by Lord Ashdown. This has been resisted by Sinn Fein.The DUP wants to replace the Parades Commission, which adjudicates on the routes of contentious marches, with an alternative body along the lines of interim proposals by a group headed by Lord Ashdown. This has been resisted by Sinn Fein.
He added: "You could see them working out a compromise that tries to merge these two compromises, or at least a letter setting out a willingness to deal with this in the future."He added: "You could see them working out a compromise that tries to merge these two compromises, or at least a letter setting out a willingness to deal with this in the future."
Mr Woodward met Irish foreign minister Micheal Martin in Dublin on Tuesday evening.Mr Woodward met Irish foreign minister Micheal Martin in Dublin on Tuesday evening.
Speaking afterwards, he said the lack of agreement had created a "vacuum" which was being exploited by dissident republicans.Speaking afterwards, he said the lack of agreement had created a "vacuum" which was being exploited by dissident republicans.
ROBINSON STORY SO FAR 6 January: Peter Robinson says his wife Iris tried to take her own life last March after admitting an affair with teenager Kirk McCambley7 January: BBC's Spotlight reveals details of Iris Robinson's financial affairs - she obtained £50,000 from two property developers to help her lover launch a café and asked him for £5,000 for herself10 January: DUP says Iris Robinson is receiving acute psychiatric treatment11 January: Peter Robinson steps aside from his role as first minister for a six-week period - DUP colleague Arlene Foster becomes acting first minister amid renewed focus on resolving her party's problems with Stormont power-sharing colleagues Sinn Fein Timeline: Robinson allegationsROBINSON STORY SO FAR 6 January: Peter Robinson says his wife Iris tried to take her own life last March after admitting an affair with teenager Kirk McCambley7 January: BBC's Spotlight reveals details of Iris Robinson's financial affairs - she obtained £50,000 from two property developers to help her lover launch a café and asked him for £5,000 for herself10 January: DUP says Iris Robinson is receiving acute psychiatric treatment11 January: Peter Robinson steps aside from his role as first minister for a six-week period - DUP colleague Arlene Foster becomes acting first minister amid renewed focus on resolving her party's problems with Stormont power-sharing colleagues Sinn Fein Timeline: Robinson allegations
"It's a very important time for all unionists to realise that now is the time to complete devolution. "It's a very important time for all unionists to realise that now is the time to complete devolution."
"There is an urgency which is why this needs to be addressed in these coming days and weeks."
Mr Martin said he believed that "80 to 85%" of issues had been resolved and was optimistic that the parties would reach agreement soon.Mr Martin said he believed that "80 to 85%" of issues had been resolved and was optimistic that the parties would reach agreement soon.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Woodward called to Stormont the leaders of the Ulster Unionists, the SDLP, Alliance and Progressive Unionists, amid speculation that progress may be imminent. UUP leader Sir Reg Empey, described a meeting with Mr Woodward on Tuesday as "useful" but said his party would have to see the shape of a deal on policing and justice before committing to supporting it.
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey described his discussion with Mr 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.
On Wednesday, Sir Reg was accused of being "irresponsible and short-sighted" by the cross-community Alliance Party leader David Ford.On Wednesday, Sir Reg was accused of being "irresponsible and short-sighted" by the cross-community Alliance Party leader David Ford.
"He is cynically using the current impasse to play unionist power games at the expense of the peace process," he said."He is cynically using the current impasse to play unionist power games at the expense of the peace process," he said.
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.
However, the DUP has insisted the community still did not have enough confidence to devolve the powers to Stormont.