Executive Meeting Amid Deadlock

Northern Ireland's ministerial cabinet will meet this afternoon, following a week of intensified political to-ing and fro-ing between Sinn Féin and the DUP.

Progress on the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Assembly has ground to a virtual standstill amid counter accusation from the two largest parties.

Yesterday, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness warned the political institutions were at risk if a time line for establishing the local justice department was not set before Christmas.

The DUP later accused Mr McGuinness of throwing a "tantrum", which it said was counterproductive.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Irish counterpart Brian Cowen waded into the debate on Monday, holding talks in London.

On Tuesday night, Assembly members passed the Justice Bill, which will pave the way for devolution and the appointment of a cross-community justice minister.

Mr McGuinness said he and DUP First Minister Peter Robinson are preparing to write to all 108 MLAs to explain how the selection system will work.

Executive ministers are expected to discuss a wide range of issues this afternoon, among them the recent flooding, which badly effected parts of Co Fermanagh.

However, mounting conflict between Sinn Féin and the DUP could dominate proceedings.

The republican party has continued to call for the transfer of powers as soon as possible.

Democratic Unionists insist judiciary and policing responsibilities can only be locally administered once there is sufficient public confidence.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan urged the political leaders to stop their "verbal ding-dongs and sabre-rattling in the media", adding his party supports devolution "sooner rather than later".

Speaking at Harvard University in the US yesterday, NI Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, said: "We stand now on the edge of completing devolution.

"I know that sometimes the rhetoric can be perplexing but I urge everyone to listen carefully both to what is said and what is not said.

"The British Government takes nothing for granted. Our partnership with the Irish Government has never been stronger," he said.

"The road to completing Devolution, despite the occasional loud rhetoric, also is one of progress.

"There are still some issues to be resolved and they can be."

See: DUP Blasts SF As Justice Bill Is Passed

(PR/BMcC)