Brown heads to Belfast for devolution talks
Brown heads to Belfast for devolution talks
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Monday, 25, Jan 2010 05:02
By Richard James.
Gordon Brown and his Irish counterpart Brian Cowen are heading to Belfast today to hold talks over the devolution of policing and justice in Northern Ireland.
During the trip on Monday, the prime minister and taoiseach will meet with Northern Ireland's first minister Peter Robinson and deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.
Speaking after meeting with Mr Cowen at Downing Street earlier Mr Brown said both men had agreed Northern Ireland should make efforts move ahead with the planned devolution of powers.
"We will together go to Northern Ireland and talk to Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness and talk to over parties in Northern Ireland and we believe there is a chance that progress will be made," he said.
Sinn Fein and the DUP, the country's two biggest political parties, have been locked in disagreements over the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont in recent months.
Speaking after a meeting between the two parties earlier today, Mr McGuinness said he was "frustrated" at the DUP due to he perceived lack of progress.
The decision by Mr Brown to personally intervene suggests the row has now reached breaking point and could potentially threaten the power-sharing agreement.
Sinn Fein has continually expressed its desire for the transfer of power to take place as soon as possible, but the DUP has called for unionist "community confidence" before any action is taken.