Northern Ireland’s political leaders are today continuing intensive negotiations aimed at securing a deal to stabilise its power-sharing administration.
Democratic Unionist leader Peter Robinson rejoined the talks with Sinn Féin last night, as optimism grew that agreement can be reached during negotiations.
His arrival at the Stormont talks marked his first public appearance since announcing on Monday he was temporarily stepping down as First Minister to deal with the fall out from the sex and money scandal that destroyed his wife Iris’s political career and threatens his.
Mr Robinson is facing a series of official investigations after claims he should have revealed his wife’s failure to declare £50,000 she obtained from two wealthy developers to set her teenage lover up in business. Mr Robinson denies any wrongdoing.
The revelations, which forced Mrs Robinson to resign as MP, MLA and councillor, broke at a critical juncture for the fragile powersharing administration, with the long-running row over the delay in transferring law and order powers from Westminster threatening to bring down the institutions.
But the crisis appeared to focus minds within the DUP who are said to be making progress in their closely guarded talks with Sinn Féin.
DUP sources said one of Mr Robinson’s key concerns was to avoid splitting the party over policing and justice. Official and political sources repeated the central involvement in the negotiations of DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds, viewed as hardline on when policing should be devolved, could be a positive augury.
Mr Robinson did not comment as he entered Stormont Castle, but Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said he and his colleagues had cleared their diaries in preparation for lengthy talks over the coming days.
“We are here to do business,” he said. “We have cleared our schedules in order to be available.” He said the talks were “serious, focused and at a sensitive point”.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said yesterday he believed the outstanding issues were “ready for agreement and resolution”.
He and British counterpart Gordon Brown sounded an optimistic note after talks at Downing Street.
“Let there be no mistake - intensive work is continuing towards the completion of devolution in policing and justice,” Mr Cowen said.
“We are encouraged that serious negotiations are continuing between the parties,” he added.