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/8476779.stm

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

Version 6 Version 7
SF want defining policing meeting SF want defining policing meeting
(20 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 NI's First Minister, Peter Robinson, would be "defining and critical".Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said the meeting between Martin McGuinness and NI's First Minister, Peter Robinson, would be "defining and critical".
But he stopped short of saying the party was pulling Mr McGuinness out of the power-sharing Stormont ExecutiveBut he stopped short of saying the party was pulling Mr McGuinness out of the power-sharing Stormont Executive
He was speaking after Sinn Fein leaders met in Dublin to discuss the situation.He was speaking after Sinn Fein leaders met in Dublin to discuss the situation.
The meeting of the party executive came after weeks of intensive talks it had held with the DUP over policing and justice ended in acrimony.The meeting of the party executive came after weeks of intensive talks it had held with the DUP over policing and justice ended in acrimony.
Unsustainable institutionsUnsustainable institutions
Addressing the media in Dublin, Mr Adams accused the DUP of failing to honour their obligations under the terms of the 2006 St Andrews Agreement.Addressing the media in Dublin, 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 FeinNo 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 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 not as referees in the talks process, but as "guarantors, with responsibilities and obligations".He said the British and Irish governments must act 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.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.""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."
Resignation threatResignation threat
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.
If Sinn Fein were to decide that Martin McGuinness should resign, the joint nature of the roles of first and deputy first ministers would mean that Peter Robinson would also be forced out of office.If Sinn Fein were to decide that Martin McGuinness should resign, the joint nature of the roles of first and deputy first ministers would mean that Peter Robinson would also be forced out of office.
If there were no agreed re-appointments to the posts within seven days, an assembly election would have to be called.If there were no agreed re-appointments to the posts within seven days, an assembly election would have to be called.
The BBC's Ireland correspondent, Mark Simpson said there would be huge relief in Dublin, Belfast and London that despite his anger, Gerry Adams had decided to "talk rather than walk". The BBC's Ireland correspondent, Mark Simpson said there would be huge sighs of relief in Dublin, Belfast and London that despite his anger, Gerry Adams had decided to "talk rather than walk".
In response to Mr Adams' statement, a DUP spokesman said they were "ready to negotiate" as they had been last week. He said Mr Adams had "made it very clear that he doesn't necessarily believe that the talking is going to do any good, but if you were the British or Irish prime minister, if you were the DUP leader sitting watching this this afternoon, your big fear was that Gerry Adams would come out and say 'it's over, we've had enough, we're going to walk away from Stormont' - he didn't say that."
On Friday, DUP leader Peter Robinson said he was surprised by Sinn Fein's announcement that they considered the latest talks over policing and justice to be over. Endangering the process
In response to Mr Adams' statement, a DUP spokesman said they were "ready to discuss the outstanding matters" as they had been last week.
On Friday, the DUP leader 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.