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SF want defining policing meeting SF want defining policing meeting
(30 minutes later)
Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister is to seek an urgent meeting with the leader of the DUP over the devolution of policing and justice.Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister is to seek an urgent meeting with the leader of the DUP over the devolution of policing and justice.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said the meeting between Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson would be "defining and critical".Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said the meeting between Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson would be "defining and critical".
But he said there could be a resolution if there was the political will.
Sinn Fein's executive met in Dublin after weeks of talks with the DUP over the issue ended in acrimony.Sinn Fein's executive met in Dublin after weeks of talks with the DUP over the issue ended in acrimony.
'No referees' A DUP spokesman said they were "ready to negotiate" as they were last week.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Mr Adams warned that if the Northern Ireland institutions were not working as they were supposed to, they would become unsustainable. Unsustainable institutions
He said the British and Irish governments must act as guarantors over the issue, not referees. Addressing the media after the Sinn Fein meeting, Mr Adams accused the DUP of failing to honour their obligations under the terms of the 2006 St Andrews Agreement.
No self respecting public representative or political party would want to be part of what would be nothing less than a charade. Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein
He warned that if the Northern Ireland institutions were not working as they were supposed to, they would become unsustainable.
He said the British and Irish governments must act as not as referees in the talks process, but as "guarantors, with responsibilities and obligations".
Mr Adams added: "What we are about is fixing the problems and returning to the basis upon which these institutions were established - the Good Friday Agreement and St Andrews Agreement.
"If that is not possible then no self respecting public representative or political party would want to be part of what would be nothing less than a charade."
Sinn Fein and the DUP - the two biggest political parties in Northern Ireland - have been arguing for months over the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.Sinn Fein and the DUP - the two biggest political parties in Northern Ireland - have been arguing for months over the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.
Sinn Fein want the completion of devolution to happen as soon as possible, but the DUP have argued that there must be "community confidence" before the powers are put in the hands of local politicians.Sinn Fein want the completion of devolution to happen as soon as possible, but the DUP have argued that there must be "community confidence" before the powers are put in the hands of local politicians.
On Friday, DUP leader Peter Robinson - first minister in Northern Ireland's power-sharing government - said he was surprised by Sinn Fein's announcement that they considered the latest talks over policing and justice to be over.On Friday, DUP leader Peter Robinson - first minister in Northern Ireland's power-sharing government - said he was surprised by Sinn Fein's announcement that they considered the latest talks over policing and justice to be over.
Mr Robinson said he felt some progress had been made, adding: "Anyone who steps away from the table at this stage endangers the whole process."Mr Robinson said he felt some progress had been made, adding: "Anyone who steps away from the table at this stage endangers the whole process."
The issue of Orange Order parades has been a sticking point for the two parties.The issue of Orange Order parades has been a sticking point for the two parties.
Sinn Fein has resisted DUP efforts to replace the body which adjudicates on contentious marches, the Parades Commission, with an alternative along the lines of interim proposals produced by a group headed by Lord Ashdown.Sinn Fein has resisted DUP efforts to replace the body which adjudicates on contentious marches, the Parades Commission, with an alternative along the lines of interim proposals produced by a group headed by Lord Ashdown.