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DUP says deal is still 'possible' | |
(19 minutes later) | |
The DUP has downplayed rumours of a setback in negotiations over the devolution of policing and justice with Sinn Fein. | |
There had been a suggestion that Sinn Fein had issued the DUP with an ultimatum, but Environment Minister Edwin Poots said a deal "was possible". | |
On Tuesday, acting First Minister Arlene Foster met with the UUP, SDLP and Alliance about the recent talks. | |
Mr Poots said all parties were engaged in trying to resolve the impasse. | |
He said a deal was possible if the political will was there. | |
There has been intense speculation since the end of last week about a deal on the devolution of the powers. | There has been intense speculation since the end of last week about a deal on the devolution of the powers. |
The UUP's Basil McCrea said there was an initial suspicion that the meeting with Mrs Foster was a public relations exercise. | |
Mr McCrea said his party would not be "window dressing" in any negotiation on policing and justice. | |
But he said the party would await the outcome of the meeting before judging it. | But he said the party would await the outcome of the meeting before judging it. |
Mr McCrea also said his party leader, Sir Reg Empey, was annoyed to have only learned about the meeting from the media. | Mr McCrea also said his party leader, Sir Reg Empey, was annoyed to have only learned about the meeting from the media. |
Consultation | |
The talks are taking place on the Stormont estate. | The talks are taking place on the Stormont estate. |
The Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, also met with party leaders on Tuesday. | |
The Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Micheal Martin, is to travel to Northern Ireland later to meet Mr Woodward and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness. | |
Tuesday's discussions followed a full day of talks at Stormont on Monday, with meetings scheduled around Assembly business. | |
On Monday, Arlene Foster assured the other parties they would be consulted on what was happening. | On Monday, Arlene Foster assured the other parties they would be consulted on what was happening. |
Speaking in the Assembly in Monday, Mrs Foster said the devolution would be "good for all of the people of Northern Ireland". | |
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". |