The DUP and Sinn Féin resumed talks today after “useful progress” was made over the weekend on the devolution of policing and justice powers.
The mood between the Executive’s leading parties is improved, as illustrated by the first private handshake between Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, and statements pointing to a growing belief that a deal can be done.
Party staffers continued to work after the talks principals finished talking on Saturday. The Irish Times understands these contacts covered a range of issues in addition to policing and justice.
Rumours circulated yesterday that Ulster Unionist MP Sylvia Hermon could be connected with a move to nominate a justice minister.
However, Lady Hermon said last night that despite being “intrigued by the sudden speculation” that she could be offered the post, there were serious “snags”.
“I am not an Assembly member, which any future justice minister must be,” she said.
“Secondly, having always disapproved of double-jobbing, I’m certainly not about to become both an MP and an MLA. So, am I about to swop roles and join the Assembly, thereby precipitating yet another byelection for Westminster? The answer is a definite No.”
The DUP Assembly group met on Saturday for a briefing on progress, with one source indicating the mood at the gathering was “tetchy”.
Sinn Féin members held their meeting this morning before discussions with the DUP resumed.
In the latest of a carefully selected series of press interviews, DUP leader Peter Robinson cited what he saw as the outstanding issues connected to the devolution of justice powers. He said these were the identity of a new justice minister and how that minister would relate to the Executive.
Mr Robinson also said resolution of outstanding parading issues was also key to an agreement.
He told the Sunday Times that Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness personally commiserated with him regarding the controversy engulfing Iris Robinson, who quit her Westminster, Assembly and council positions last week.
“He expressed sympathy to me and put out his hand,” Mr Robinson said. “I thought it would be wrong of me in those circumstances to do anything other than that [shake his hand].”
Acting First Minister Arlene Foster confirmed yesterday that progress was made, especially in relation to parades.
“What we have seen is a good atmosphere,” she said. “These are real negotiations, they are very much [carried out] in a positive way. There is no hype surrounding this, there is no gun to our head. This was coming to a head in any event and now we are dealing with those issues and I’m glad to see that the issue of parading is being dealt with in a positive way.”
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams again insisted the dialogue was “a work in progress”.