‘Preparation for Devolution’ meeting to be held in North
The first meeting of the British government's "Preparation for Devolution" committee is due to take place at Stormont later today.
The DUP has insisted the committee cannot become involved in serious negotiations, while Sinn Féin has said that it should not be turned into a mere talking shop.
DUP leader Ian Paisley threatened to boycott the Preparation for Government meeting unless the Assembly is given work to do.
Within half an hour, the British government had done a U-turn and given the Assembly an agenda in order to get the DUP to attend today's committee.
However, the parties have such contradictory views on what the meeting is all about that it is difficult to see any consensus emerging.
Sinn Féin has said it will test the DUP's bona fides on restoring devolution - leading to a British/Irish summit at the end of the month.
The DUP, however, does not appear to have accorded the committee much importance.
