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Sinn Fein and DUP to resume talks Sinn Fein and DUP to resume talks
(about 5 hours later)
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness will hold talks later with the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Peter Robinson, at Stormont.Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness will hold talks later with the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Peter Robinson, at Stormont.
They will discuss the stalemate on the devolution of police and judicial powers, which is threatening the future of the Northern Ireland Assembly.They will discuss the stalemate on the devolution of police and judicial powers, which is threatening the future of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The talks, which ended in acrimony last week, are considered to be critical.The talks, which ended in acrimony last week, are considered to be critical.
Later Gordon Brown will meet Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen in London to decide how to respond to the crisis.Later Gordon Brown will meet Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen in London to decide how to respond to the crisis.
Sinn Fein and the DUP - Northern Ireland's two biggest political parties - have been arguing for months over the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.Sinn Fein and the DUP - Northern Ireland's two biggest political parties - 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 argue there must be "community confidence" before 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 argue there must be "community confidence" before powers are put in the hands of local politicians.
We remain at the table ready and willing to discuss those issues and move the process forward Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP Power problems at StormontWe remain at the table ready and willing to discuss those issues and move the process forward Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP Power problems at Stormont
There is further division over the handling of parades.There is further division over the handling of parades.
The DUP wants to scrap the Parades Commission, which puts conditions on some of the most contentious marches, but Sinn Fein has accused them of giving the Orange Order a talks veto.The DUP wants to scrap the Parades Commission, which puts conditions on some of the most contentious marches, but Sinn Fein has accused them of giving the Orange Order a talks veto.
The DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson said it was time Sinn Fein "calmed down a bit" and accused party members of failing to turn up at talks over the past week.The DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson said it was time Sinn Fein "calmed down a bit" and accused party members of failing to turn up at talks over the past week.
He said: "We remain at the table ready and willing to discuss those issues and move the process forward."He said: "We remain at the table ready and willing to discuss those issues and move the process forward."
Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly accused the DUP of going into talks with preconditions.Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly accused the DUP of going into talks with preconditions.
"They are saying unless we get a predetermined outcome to talks around the issue of parading, the policing and justice will not happen," he said."They are saying unless we get a predetermined outcome to talks around the issue of parading, the policing and justice will not happen," he said.
'Defining and critical''Defining and critical'
A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Brown and Mr Cowen's talks at Downing Street on Monday afternoon were "part of ongoing discussions on Northern Ireland".A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Brown and Mr Cowen's talks at Downing Street on Monday afternoon were "part of ongoing discussions on Northern Ireland".
The prime minister and the taoiseach talk regularly by phone and were pleased to have the opportunity to meet face-to-face, he said. The prime minister and the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) talk regularly by phone and were pleased to have the opportunity to meet face-to-face, he said.
Mr Cowen said the two governments had a responsibility to help resolve the impasse over the issue.Mr Cowen said the two governments had a responsibility to help resolve the impasse over the issue.
"I'll be discussing the matter further with the British prime minister to get this matter resolved as it's important for the people of Northern Ireland," he said."I'll be discussing the matter further with the British prime minister to get this matter resolved as it's important for the people of Northern Ireland," he said.
Deputy First Minister Mr McGuinness spoke to both premiers by telephone on Sunday, Sinn Fein said.Deputy First Minister Mr McGuinness spoke to both premiers by telephone on Sunday, Sinn Fein said.
Earlier, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said the meeting between Mr McGuinness and NI's First Minister, Peter Robinson, would be "defining and critical".Earlier, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said the meeting between Mr 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 Executive.But he stopped short of saying the party was pulling Mr McGuinness out of the power-sharing Stormont Executive.
If Sinn Fein was to decide Mr 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 was to decide Mr 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.