Taoiseach set for talks with Brown
Taoiseach Brian Cowen will be in London later today to meet British prime minister Gordon Brown to discuss policing in Northern Ireland. By Ciaran Farrell - 30/11/09
It is believed the pair will review progress in the implementation of the outstanding aspects of the St Andrews Agreement, focusing in particular on the issue of devolution of policing and justice to Stormont.
Sinn Féin has accused the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of holding up the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to the Stormont Assembly.
But while republicans have said that failure to come to a conclusion by Christmas will put the entire power-sharing government into crisis, the DUP has said it will not agree to a deal in light of Sinn Féin demands, and has called for confidence building measures for unionists before any agreement is reached.
Mr Cowen said “there has been enormous progress in Northern Ireland in recent years, based on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrews Agreement”.
“It is vital to maintain that momentum so as to ensure that the institutions continue to work for the benefit of the entire community, especially at this very difficult time economically”.
“The Prime Minister and I remain fully committed to working closely together, and with the parties, to overcome the remaining obstacles to the devolution of policing and justice and to continue to build a better future for all of the people of Northern Ireland.”
At the weekend, tension grew however as Sinn Féin maintained the DUP is interested in policies that will create political disaster in the North.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, following talks with Mr Cowen in Tullamore on Saturday, said Sinn Féin needed a commitment from DUP leader Peter Robinson before Christmas to see policing and justice powers transferred early in 2010.
Sinn Féin chairman Declan Kearney accused the DUP yesterday of pursuing a “train wreck political strategy” which would have inevitable “political consequences”.
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