The SDLP today nominated Alban Maginness to become the first justice minister in the Northern Ireland Executive.
The party made the announcement following a meeting of party leaders to discuss who should take up the position.
Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionists withheld their choices - which are expected to be decisive - and the talks are expected to continue for some time ahead of next month’s Assembly vote.
The leaders’ meeting was due to take place yesterday but was postponed because First Minister Peter Robinson was attending the House of Commons, where British prime minister Gordon Brown described the Hillsborough Castle Agreement as a “significant and defining moment”.
The parties spent ten days in Hillsborough Castle talks chaired by Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Mr Brown about devolving policing and justice powers from London to Belfast.
A separate meeting about Orange Order parades is being held today.
Mr Maginness is a former lawyer who represents north Belfast in the Assembly.
SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie said she had agreed to hold more bilateral meetings with Mr Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. She is also holding talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin in Dublin tomorrow.
“We in the SDLP want policing and justice delivered as quickly as possible but there should not be any corruption of democracy in terms of the appointment,” she added.
Alliance Party leader David Ford, who is tipped as being most likely to be named as a compromise justice minister, today published proposals for a programme for government for policing and justice. He said he would not allow himself to be put forward until his party’s demands were met.
“We need to see progress on building a shared future for the people of Northern Ireland and we need to see a group conversation for the Department of Justice which would ensure that it delivers for all of the people of Northern Ireland,” he said.
He admitted there had been some “frostiness” at today’s Stormont meeting but added Sinn Féin and the DUP were prepared to engage.
“Since last Friday there has been constructive and positive engagement, certainly through yesterday. There remains work to be done but the Alliance Party remains committed to doing that.”
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said little substantive progress had been made today but was not expected at the first meeting.
PA