Brown leaves NI without devolution deal
Brown leaves NI without devolution deal
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Wednesday, 27, Jan 2010 05:25
By inthenews.co.uk staff
Gordon Brown has left negotiations aimed at preventing the collapse of Northern Ireland's power-sharing coalition without a deal.
Mr Brown left Belfast this afternoon but said he was still confident the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont could take place as early as May.
Leaving the negotiations at Hillsborough castle without a deal, the prime minister told a press conference there was a "prospect of a reasonable agreement" within the next two days.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have been deeply divided over the devolution of policing and justice powers.
Sinn Fein has called for the devolution to happen as soon as possible, while the DUP has demanded there be unionist "community confidence" before power is handed over.
The handling of parades has been the cause of considerable division, with the DUP calling for an end to the Parades Commission, which can place limits on some of the most contentious marches across Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein has accused the party of giving the Orange Order a talks veto.
Despite Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuiness saying he was "deeply disappointed" no agreement had been reached, Mr Brown said the two sides had a further 48 hours to consider proposals and that he believed a deal would be struck.
He added that if no agreement was found then the parties would publish their proposals.
Talks chaired by the prime minister and Irish premier Brian Cowen aimed at breaking the deadlock have taken place over the last few days, with talks on Tuesday reportedly continuing until 06:00 GMT the following morning.
Mr Brown originally flew out to Belfast on Monday afternoon and a statement from Downing Street said it was hoped an agreement could still be found to allow the devolution of powers to take place as planned.
A spokesman for Mr Brown said on Wednesday morning: "The prime minister and the taoiseach have been engaged in discussions throughout the night, both with the Sinn Fein and DUP leaderships and with other Northern Ireland political leaders.
"We continue to believe that there is scope for agreement on the elements that need to be in place to enable the completion of devolution in Northern Ireland."