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'Defining talks' for NI parties 'Defining talks' for NI parties
(about 1 hour later)
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness is to meet Democratic Unionist leader Peter Robinson at Stormont at noon for what Sinn Fein calls "defining talks".Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness is to meet Democratic Unionist leader Peter Robinson at Stormont at noon for what Sinn Fein calls "defining talks".
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 unionist "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 unionist "community confidence" before powers are put in the hands of local politicians.
We don't want to pull the plug on things... We want to sort it out Gerry KellySinn FeinWe don't want to pull the plug on things... We want to sort it out Gerry KellySinn Fein
The "confidence" issue causing most division is over the handling of parades.The "confidence" issue causing most division is 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.
On Monday, Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly said Monday's meeting would be "critical".On Monday, Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly said Monday's meeting would be "critical".
"We don't want to pull the plug on things... We want to sort it out," he said."We don't want to pull the plug on things... We want to sort it out," he said.
"What we are saying is that this was based on the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrews Agreement and that means it is based on equality."What we are saying is that this was based on the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrews Agreement and that means it is based on equality.
"The first and deputy first ministers are actually two first ministers, all decisions are made through a consensus between the two first ministers and the DUP are not working that. What they are trying to do is work only what works for unionists.""The first and deputy first ministers are actually two first ministers, all decisions are made through a consensus between the two first ministers and the DUP are not working that. What they are trying to do is work only what works for unionists."
Sammy Wilson, DUP, said his party was willing to engage in negotiations.Sammy Wilson, DUP, said his party was willing to engage in negotiations.
"We are engaging and wishing to engage in negotiations in a totally honest way. We want to try and reach a conclusion," he said."We are engaging and wishing to engage in negotiations in a totally honest way. We want to try and reach a conclusion," he said.
"Everybody has to be careful to watch their words to ensure we do not put barriers in the way.""Everybody has to be careful to watch their words to ensure we do not put barriers in the way."
'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 (Irish prime minister) 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, collapsing the 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, collapsing the executive.