THE INTERIM First Minister has called for the British government to intervene in the stalled negotiations with Sinn Féin on the devolution of policing and justice. A date for the transfer of powers from London to Belfast and parading issues are understood to be holding up progress.
Arlene Foster was responding to a Sinn Féin claim that the DUP was failing to meet its commitments.
Sinn Féin vice-president Mary Lou McDonald accused the DUP of failing “to step up to the plate and meet their commitments”.
Sinn Féin’s ardchomhairle, postponed for nearly two weeks, is now scheduled to go ahead tomorrow, although Ms McDonald was careful not to describe this as a deadline.
She added: “There is not yet an indication from the DUP that they are ready. Our ardchomhairle will meet on Saturday – they will be formally briefed.”
Mrs Foster said the comments were “deeply frustrating” and claimed that DUP negotiators were available at Stormont throughout yesterday.
Accusing Sinn Féin of political posturing and questioning their bona fides, she added: “For agreement to be reached, it is necessary for the parties to have meaningful engagement and not wait for others to move to their position.
“We hope that Sinn Féin will not allow their new position on parading to stand in the way of making progress on the outstanding issues.” Given the deadlock, she suggested it was time for government intervention.
“If Sinn Féin is not prepared to sit down and work through these issues with the other parties then perhaps we have reached a stage where there needs to be government facilitation,” she said.
“The DUP is committed to a successful outcome to these negotiations. We are up for a deal when the conditions are right. It must be durable and able to gain the confidence of the community.”
DUP leader Peter Robinson was last night in talks with Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward.
The British government said last night it was holding to its position as outlined by Gordon Brown and Taoiseach Brian Cowen in Downing Street last week, namely that it is up to the Stormont parties to agree on the way ahead.
A British source said no approaches, either formal or informal, had been made by the parties to the British government seeking intervention. The source added that the holding of ardchomhairle meetings was a solely matter for Sinn Féin.
However, the fact that Sinn Féin has turned up the heat in the process and that the DUP is suggesting governmental intervention to break the deadlock may mean that involvement by the Irish and British governments may be necessary.
Referring to a key sticking points, the issue of controversial parades and the future of the body set up to rule on them, one source said, “Peter Robinson is seeking the scalp of the Parades Commission.”
Sources have indicated there were signs that middle ground on parading could be found, while stressing “the abolition of the Parades Commission was non-negotiable as far as Sinn Féin is concerned”.