PETER ROBINSON returned to Stormont yesterday evening to lead a senior DUP team in crucial negotiations with Sinn Féin to try to achieve a speedy breakthrough over when policing and justice powers will be devolved to the Northern Executive.
There was still cautious optimism the political deadlock could be broken, notwithstanding the turmoil caused by the controversy surrounding the personal and financial affairs of Iris Robinson. The talks adjourned shortly after 8pm and were set to resume this morning.
Mr Robinson had spent time attending to mental health issues relating to his wife since he temporarily stood down as First Minister on Monday, but he returned to direct political engagement yesterday.
He drove into Stormont Castle at about 5pm, without making any comment to the press, to begin the critical talks about policing and other issues such as parades with Sinn Féin negotiators led by Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
An hour earlier, Sinn Féin president Mr Adams arrived at the castle, saying Sinn Féin leaders had cleared their diaries to try to clinch a deal. “We are here to do business. We have cleared our schedules in order to be available,” said Mr Adams, adding there was no reason to change his description earlier this week of the negotiations. “They are serious, they are focused, and they are at a sensitive time,” he said.
Sinn Féin has again postponed its next ruling ardchomhairle meeting pending a “definitive report about the current discussions about a date for the transfer of powers on policing and justice”. The British and Irish governments see this as a positive move, as it indicates that Sinn Féin is prepared to allow a short but concentrated period of time to strike a deal.
DUP negotiators made no comment yesterday. Earlier, Taoiseach Brian Cowen and British prime minister Gordon Brown, after meeting at Downing Street, said they were encouraged by the DUP/Sinn Féin talks. The outstanding issues were “ready for agreement and resolution”, said Mr Cowen.
“Let there be no mistake, intensive work is continuing towards the completion of devolution of policing and justice,” added Mr Brown.
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 Dodds joined another sceptic, East Derry MP Gregory Campbell, in talks with Mr Brown in London on Wednesday, again indicating the efforts to bring both wings of the DUP behind a deal. Nonetheless, most politicians remained guardedly optimistic a deal could be struck by this weekend, possibly even today, or by early next week. But if the negotiations went much beyond that, there was great danger of the Assembly and Executive collapsing.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan also saw potential. “It seems that a humbler DUP has now found a clearer perspective on the devolution of justice and policing,” he said. But he warned, “The issue now is how decisive they will be about delivering completion.” There remains concern any future disclosures relating to the Robinsons or the DUP may undermine the prospects of a deal.
Time for Assembly to act – Cowen and Brown: page 8