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/8475329.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Justice talks over says Sinn Fein Justice talks over says Sinn Fein
(20 minutes later)
Talks between the DUP and Sinn Fein on the devolution of policing and justice powers are over, Sinn Fein have said.Talks between the DUP and Sinn Fein on the devolution of policing and justice powers are over, Sinn Fein have said.
Alex Maskey confirmed that the current round of negotiations had ended. The party is due to meet on Saturday. Alex Maskey confirmed that the current round of negotiations had ended. He said the party's meeting in Dublin on Saturday would map the way forward.
"They will decide whether to take the nuclear option of pulling Martin McGuinness out of the coalition," BBC NI's political editor said. However, Mr Maskey added:"Our door remains open."
The two parties had been engaged in a war of words on how to progress on transferring the powers to Belfast. "They (SF) will decide whether to take the nuclear option of pulling Martin McGuinness out of the coalition," said BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport.
Mr Maskey pointed out that his party leadership had informed the DUP of its decision on Wednesday night.
He was responding to Acting First Minister Arlene Foster who said her party's negotiators had waited at Stormont on Thursday and had no-one to negotiate with.
The DUP and Sinn Fein have been engaged in a war of words on how to progress on transferring the powers to Belfast.
In his blog for the Belfast Media Group, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the "game was up, but not over".In his blog for the Belfast Media Group, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the "game was up, but not over".
"The failure of the DUP thus far to come up to the plate during the current round of negotiations shouldn't come as any great surprise," he said."The failure of the DUP thus far to come up to the plate during the current round of negotiations shouldn't come as any great surprise," he said.
"They want the scrapping of the Parades Commission and progress on the ground - in other words marches through Catholic areas.""They want the scrapping of the Parades Commission and progress on the ground - in other words marches through Catholic areas."
He accused the DUP of "looking over their shoulder" at hardline unionist Jim Allister whose TUV party opposes powersharing with Sinn Fein.He accused the DUP of "looking over their shoulder" at hardline unionist Jim Allister whose TUV party opposes powersharing with Sinn Fein.
It is understood the latest round of discussions concluded on Wednesday.It is understood the latest round of discussions concluded on Wednesday.
Mr Maskey said: "There was no question, let me be very clear, Peter Robinson was under no illusion. There was no question of any talks between both of our parties scheduled for yesterday or, indeed, today."Mr Maskey said: "There was no question, let me be very clear, Peter Robinson was under no illusion. There was no question of any talks between both of our parties scheduled for yesterday or, indeed, today."