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Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson 'have not discussed newspaper article' Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson 'have not discussed newspaper article'
(35 minutes later)
Martin McGuinness has said he has not spoken to Peter Robinson since an article in which he claimed the political institutions in Northern Ireland are not fit for purpose.Martin McGuinness has said he has not spoken to Peter Robinson since an article in which he claimed the political institutions in Northern Ireland are not fit for purpose.
Mr McGuinness said he was not aware of the interview before it was published by the Belfast Telegraph.Mr McGuinness said he was not aware of the interview before it was published by the Belfast Telegraph.
"I knew absolutely nothing about it, there was no conversation whatsoever," Mr McGuinness said on Friday."I knew absolutely nothing about it, there was no conversation whatsoever," Mr McGuinness said on Friday.
But the DUP said the article was raised at the Executive after publication.But the DUP said the article was raised at the Executive after publication.
Speaking on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Mr McGuinness said: "I have been here for the last two days and I haven't had a conversation."Speaking on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Mr McGuinness said: "I have been here for the last two days and I haven't had a conversation."
However, the deputy first minister added: "Don't be under any illusion, Peter Robinson and I will discuss the matter shortly."However, the deputy first minister added: "Don't be under any illusion, Peter Robinson and I will discuss the matter shortly."
He said it was "no way to do business" on the part of the DUP, the party Mr Robinson leads. He said he saw no reason why the Northern Ireland political institutions should collapse or be suspended.
Mr McGuinness said it was "no way to do business" on the part of the DUP, the party Mr Robinson leads.
"It certainly shows you the frame of mind that the DUP leadership are in at this minute, I don't know what's going on within the DUP.""It certainly shows you the frame of mind that the DUP leadership are in at this minute, I don't know what's going on within the DUP."
The 2006 St Andrews Agreement paved the way for the return of devolution in May 2007, when the then DUP leader Ian Paisley and Mr McGuinness became first and deputy first ministers.The 2006 St Andrews Agreement paved the way for the return of devolution in May 2007, when the then DUP leader Ian Paisley and Mr McGuinness became first and deputy first ministers.
Writing in the Belfast Telegraph on Tuesday, First Minister Mr Robinson said the agreement had led to a system that was "time-consuming and sluggish".Writing in the Belfast Telegraph on Tuesday, First Minister Mr Robinson said the agreement had led to a system that was "time-consuming and sluggish".
"The structures required cross-community agreement for every significant issue - a process that would have tested and defeated less divergent coalitions," he said. Speaking to the BBC's Nolan programme on Friday, Mr Robinson said the executive could not continue in operation if there was no agreement on welfare reform.
He said the issue "could not be dodged".
"It has come to a head because there is one issue [welfare reform] that cannot be dodged, that would not allow the executive to continue in operation if it is not dealt with and there is deadlock on that issue.
"All of the other difficulties that we've had in the past did not threaten the institutions.
"This one does threaten the institutions, because literally you could not continue a devolved government in Northern Ireland with the kind of reductions that would be necessary."