NI: Talks on devolution of policing powers
Saturday, 7 November 2009 22:27
Talks have taken place at Westminster to try and speed up the process of devolving police and justice powers to Northern Ireland.
The talks were between the British Prime Minister and the North's First and Deputy First Ministers.
One of the stumbling blocks for the DUP is the question of allocating weapons to former police officers for personal protection.
Sinn Féin is seeking assurances that the DUP will agree to a swift transfer of security powers.
However, the DUP has been holding out as they negotiate with Gordon Brown over funding and measures to ensure adequate community confidence in the move.
Unionists have been dealt a blow following the announcement that 440 full time police reservists in Northern Ireland will be phased out by March 2011.
Peter Robinson warned yesterday that threats from Sinn Fein would stall negotiations on the issue.
Earlier this week, Sinn Féin national chairman Declan Kearney stopped short of questioning the future of the Stormont administration but accused unionists and the British government of playing fast and loose with the talks.
- Six One News: Eimear Lowe reports talks between Gordon Brown and the North's First and Deputy First Minister on the devolution of policing and justice powers have taken place
- Nine News: Eimear Lowe reports that talks on the devolution of policing and justice powers in Northern Ireland took place at Westminster
