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DUP says deal is still 'possible' DUP says deal is still 'possible'
(20 minutes later)
The DUP has downplayed rumours of a setback in negotiations over the devolution of policing and justice with Sinn Fein.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.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.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.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. "I don't think there is any particular wobble in the process," he said.
"Where we are at this point is that we are narrowing down issues, and those issues of concern will have to be resolved.
"Ultimately we are working our way towards that."
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.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.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.
ConsultationConsultation
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 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.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.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".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".