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DUP 'not yet ready to seal deal' PMs' NI return visit put on hold
(40 minutes later)
DUP sources have told the BBC the party's assembly team is not yet ready to agree proposals to end the deadlock over justice powers for Stormont.DUP sources have told the BBC the party's assembly team is not yet ready to agree proposals to end the deadlock over justice powers for Stormont.
The DUP assembly members and other party figures began meeting at 11am on Monday, a meeting which is continuing. A meeting between DUP assembly members and other party figures is continuing.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have been arguing for months over the timing and circumstances of the transfer of justice powers to Belfast. Plans for a return visit by the British and Irish prime ministers are in disarray as the DUP has taken longer on a negotiated package than anticipated.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have been arguing over the timing of the transfer of justice powers to Belfast.
Sinn Fein wants the powers transferred immediately.Sinn Fein wants the powers transferred immediately.
The DUP has said that can only happen when there is "community confidence" among unionists.The DUP has said that can only happen when there is "community confidence" among unionists.
Sinn Fein's MLAs and other senior party figures, including TD Martin Ferris, met for around an hour on Monday and indications were that the party was happy enough.
However, DUP sources have told the BBC there are outstanding issues that need to be pinned down around justice and parading.
There had been an expectation that Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen may have come back to Hillsborough Castle to sign off on the deal and preparations were made for such a scenario.
One DUP source suggested that there would be no resolution before Tuesday.
Earlier on Monday, first minister questions at the Northern Ireland Assembly was postponed as speculation mounted that a deal on policing and justice powers was close.Earlier on Monday, first minister questions at the Northern Ireland Assembly was postponed as speculation mounted that a deal on policing and justice powers was close.
The DUP and Sinn Fein spent last week in deadlock, but on Sunday, Sinn Fein deputy leader McGuinness said the parties had made "considerable progress".The DUP and Sinn Fein spent last week in deadlock, but on Sunday, Sinn Fein deputy leader McGuinness said the parties had made "considerable progress".
But DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the public should be consulted on any deal.But DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the public should be consulted on any deal.
BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent Martina Purdy said consultation on a deal was likely.BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent Martina Purdy said consultation on a deal was likely.
Irish languageIrish language
"Even if the DUP assembly team says yes to the deal, there will have to be a process of consultation, possibly through the executive," she said."Even if the DUP assembly team says yes to the deal, there will have to be a process of consultation, possibly through the executive," she said.
"It's thought there are four aspects to the deal: devolving justice powers, the role of the justice minister, the Irish language and parading."It's thought there are four aspects to the deal: devolving justice powers, the role of the justice minister, the Irish language and parading.
"An Irish language strategy rather than an act is thought to be the compromise. It's expected there will be references to shared future and difficulties around executive functioning.""An Irish language strategy rather than an act is thought to be the compromise. It's expected there will be references to shared future and difficulties around executive functioning."
Just days ago Mr McGuinness was thought to be on the brink of resigning, but on Sunday he expressed the hope that there was now a basis "upon which nationalists, republicans, unionists and loyalists can move forward together".Just days ago Mr McGuinness was thought to be on the brink of resigning, but on Sunday he expressed the hope that there was now a basis "upon which nationalists, republicans, unionists and loyalists can move forward together".
DUP negotiators also said considerable progress has been made.DUP negotiators also said considerable progress has been made.
After six days and five nights of talks, negotiators spent Sunday recharging their batteries.After six days and five nights of talks, negotiators spent Sunday recharging their batteries.
'Novel idea''Novel idea'
But Mr Campbell said on Sunday night his party intended to consult the public on any agreement.But Mr Campbell said on Sunday night his party intended to consult the public on any agreement.
"People need to be consulted, they need to see the bones of the deal and the detail of it, and then give a response that allows us to say whether we proceed or don't," he said."People need to be consulted, they need to see the bones of the deal and the detail of it, and then give a response that allows us to say whether we proceed or don't," he said.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said if Mr Campbell was suggesting consulting the whole community, then his approach was "novel".Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said if Mr Campbell was suggesting consulting the whole community, then his approach was "novel".
"I think it would be really cool for the people of Garvaghy Road to have Gregory coming down to ask them how he should proceed," he said."I think it would be really cool for the people of Garvaghy Road to have Gregory coming down to ask them how he should proceed," he said.
"It would even be a very novel idea for people from working class unionist areas. But the main thing is to get the agreement. We are not there yet. Some significant work has been done and we are meeting very soon to finish off, I hope, the remaining points.""It would even be a very novel idea for people from working class unionist areas. But the main thing is to get the agreement. We are not there yet. Some significant work has been done and we are meeting very soon to finish off, I hope, the remaining points."
Gordon Brown and the Irish prime minister may return to Northern Ireland if a deal is finalised.
The British and Irish prime ministers chaired talks between Northern Ireland's political parties for three days last week.
On Wednesday, Mr Brown and Mr Cowen said that if there was no deal within 48 hours they would publish their own proposals but that deadline was allowed to pass with the parties still locked in discussions.
The talks represent the longest period of sustained negotiations since the peace process began in the 1990s.The talks represent the longest period of sustained negotiations since the peace process began in the 1990s.