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| Brown call over justice impasse | Brown call over justice impasse |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| It is vital Stormont politicians continue their work on devolving justice powers to Northern Ireland, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said. | |
| He said the British and Irish governments would do whatever it took to support their efforts. | He said the British and Irish governments would do whatever it took to support their efforts. |
| The talks came as speculation mounts that agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein on the issue could be closer. | The talks came as speculation mounts that agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein on the issue could be closer. |
| Mr Brown said he was hopeful that deal could be reached, however, he added that nothing was yet certain. | Mr Brown said he was hopeful that deal could be reached, however, he added that nothing was yet certain. |
| "We take nothing for granted this has been a period of great turbulence in the politics of Northern Ireland," the prime minister said. | "We take nothing for granted this has been a period of great turbulence in the politics of Northern Ireland," the prime minister said. |
| Mr Cowen said outstanding issues between the parties were ready for agreement. | Mr Cowen said outstanding issues between the parties were ready for agreement. |
| He said: "The issues have been under discussion for some time and in our view are ready for agreement and resolution." | He said: "The issues have been under discussion for some time and in our view are ready for agreement and resolution." |
| The talks between the two leaders took place in London. | The talks between the two leaders took place in London. |
| Earlier, the Northern Ireland deputy first minister said "earnest efforts" were being made to find a way through the impasse. | Earlier, the Northern Ireland deputy first minister said "earnest efforts" were being made to find a way through the impasse. |
| Martin McGuinness said critical discussions were taking place and he would not be drawn on the detail. | Martin McGuinness said critical discussions were taking place and he would not be drawn on the detail. |
| Later on Thursday, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said talks with the DUP on the devolution of policing and justice remain at a serious, focused and sensitive point. | Later on Thursday, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said talks with the DUP on the devolution of policing and justice remain at a serious, focused and sensitive point. |
| Mr Adams, who is at Stormont castle, said senior party members had cleared their schedules and they were there ''to do business''. | Mr Adams, who is at Stormont castle, said senior party members had cleared their schedules and they were there ''to do business''. |
| Martin McGuinness said critical discussions were taking place | Martin McGuinness said critical discussions were taking place |
| A meeting of the party's Ard Choimaile has been postponed until the party's negotiators are in a position to put something definitive to it. | A meeting of the party's Ard Choimaile has been postponed until the party's negotiators are in a position to put something definitive to it. |
| The DUP leader Peter Robinson who has stood aside briefly to deal with his wife Iris's mental illness is expected to attend the talks. | The DUP leader Peter Robinson who has stood aside briefly to deal with his wife Iris's mental illness is expected to attend the talks. |
| Meanwhile, SDLP leader Mark Durkan said it seemed that "a humbler DUP" had found "a clearer perspective" on the devolution of justice and policing. | Meanwhile, SDLP leader Mark Durkan said it seemed that "a humbler DUP" had found "a clearer perspective" on the devolution of justice and policing. |
| Speaking after a meeting with Mr McGuinness, Mr Durkan said that the issue now is "how decisive they will be about delivering completion." | Speaking after a meeting with Mr McGuinness, Mr Durkan said that the issue now is "how decisive they will be about delivering completion." |
| He added that the SDLP will not be "making it harder for any party to do the right thing from here and now." | He added that the SDLP will not be "making it harder for any party to do the right thing from here and now." |
| The question of how to deal with Orange Order parades is believed to be a sticking point between the parties. | The question of how to deal with Orange Order parades is believed to be a sticking point between the parties. |
| Sinn Fein is resisting DUP efforts to replace the Parades Commission. | Sinn Fein is resisting DUP efforts to replace the Parades Commission. |
| The DUP wants an alternative way to adjudicate on contentious marches along the lines of interim proposals produced by a group headed by Lord Ashdown. | The DUP wants an alternative way to adjudicate on contentious marches along the lines of interim proposals produced by a group headed by Lord Ashdown. |
| It is thought the DUP and Sinn Fein could try to reach a compromise position or agree to resolve the issue at a future date. | It is thought the DUP and Sinn Fein could try to reach a compromise position or agree to resolve the issue at a future date. |
| Alliance Party leader David Ford held talks with the DUP on Wednesday, a meeting which he described as "positive and useful". | Alliance Party leader David Ford held talks with the DUP on Wednesday, a meeting which he described as "positive and useful". |
| However, he added there was "clearly still a lot of work to be done" before an agreement on policing and justice could be reached. | However, he added there was "clearly still a lot of work to be done" before an agreement on policing and justice could be reached. |