Politicians trying to secure a deal on devolving policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly urged public figures to be careful not to derail the efforts today.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is in talks today with Sinn Féin who are demanding a swift transfer of the law and order powers.
With speculation that a deal could be possible, rival politicians and even Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward, have been warned to avoid comments that might make agreement more difficult.
The DUP’s under-pressure leader Peter Robinson has stepped down temporarily as First Minister over the scandal surrounding his wife Iris, who was revealed as having lobbied property developers for cash to set up a business for her teenage lover.
There are claims the party, which had previously said it would not be rushed by republican pressure for agreement, is now focused on securing a deal with Sinn Féin to avoid a collapse of the Assembly and the threat of a snap election.
But with the British and Irish governments due to meet in London tomorrow to discuss political progress, Mr Woodward said: “It’s a very important time for all unionists to realise that now is the time to complete devolution.
“There is an urgency which is why this needs to be addressed in these coming days and weeks.”
Mr Woodward said final agreement was a matter for the Northern Ireland parties.
But Sinn Féin minister Gerry Kelly urged against any comments that might unsettle the negotiations and claimed he had warned Mr Woodward against commenting publicly.
“I had a meeting with Shaun Woodward yesterday and what I told him was that sometimes they are better not doing publicity,” he said.
“He and the British government need to remember they are the guarantors of some of the obligations of the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrews Agreement, and maybe they want to keep their eye to what their obligations are and leave us to try and sort this out.
“He doesn’t always have to have a soundbite.”
While both main parties have accepted a £1 billion financial deal from the UK Treasury to support the devolution, the DUP has insisted that other so-called confidence building measures are needed before it gives the move the green light.
Among the sticking points is the party's demand for changes to how controversial Orange parades in the region are managed.
Caretaker First Minister Arlene Foster, who is part of the DUP's negotiating team, said the transfer of justice powers was in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland.
But she insisted there were still issues to be overcome before it could take place.
"When we set out in our manifesto that we wanted to see the devolution of policing and justice, we knew that we wanted to work towards that and that's what we continue to do," she said.
"There are things that need to be sorted out - issues around parading - we will work to have those sorted out and to bring the devolution of policing and justice to Northern Ireland. Because - and I really do believe this - I believe it will be for the best of the people of Northern Ireland.
"But we must do it in a way that we bring it to a Northern Ireland that is stable so the policing powers that come here will be durable and will be lasting."
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said he could not be expected to rubber-stamp a deal brokered without his involvement and warned against the DUP making agreements “under duress”.
Sir Reg is to meet prime minister Gordon Brown in London today.
But Alliance leader David Ford, whose centre ground party is expected to take responsibility for a new justice ministry to be set up after devolution, attacked Sir Reg’s comments.
“While Alliance is working constructively to protect the peace process, the UUP seems intent on taking a hammer to it in a pathetic attempt to appear strong,” he said.
“I believe that Reg’s attitude is putting the short-term interests of the Ulster Unionists ahead of stability of our society.”
Mr Ford could hold talks today with the DUP’s Arlene Foster, who has stepped in to fill Mr Robinson’s shoes as acting First Minister.
Mr Robinson did not attend the DUP/Sinn Féin talks at Stormont‘s Parliament Buildings yesterday, but is said to be in contact with colleagues and could rejoin his negotiating team over the next three days.
Leader of the hardline Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) Jim Allister, who opposes agreement with republicans and has already damaged the DUP at the polls, predicted his rivals were set to agree a deal in a bid to avoid a facing the voters after the Iris Robinson affair.
“Sadly, the DUP, petrified of an election, is preparing to put party before country by surrendering to Sinn Fein’s key ‘Brits out‘ demand over policing and justice,” he said.
“In their last parliamentary manifesto they made its strategic importance to the republican movement very clear.
“No unionist should be delivering the Sinn Féin agenda,” he said.
PA