SF executive to meet over talks deadlock
Crucial talks to end the deadlock on the delay in transferring policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly could come to a head by the weekend, it was claimed tonight.
Sinn Féin vice president Mary Lou McDonald denied her party was setting a deadline but confirmed its ruling executive will meet on Saturday to weigh progress in the negotiations.
After having a private briefing from Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, she indicated the DUP had not gone far enough for the republicans in negotiations on the devolution of policing and justice powers from London to Belfast.
"I have to say that, at this time, there's not yet an indication from the DUP that they are ready to step up to the plate and meet their commitments,'' she said.
Sinn Féin confirmed its Ard Chomhairle will meet on Saturday.
Ms McDonald added: "The St Andrews Agreement is now three years old, the process that we are involved in is really one of completion and not renegotiation.
“We want this to work, there’s now an obligation on all of us and in particular the DUP to step up to the plate, meet their commitments and to make this work.
“We will not operate on the basis of any preconditions. All of the matters outstanding have been agreed some three years back at St Andrews and now it is the job of politics here in the north of Ireland to do its job, to meet its commitment and the DUP can’t hold up progress.”
| Related Stories: |
|
