Hopes Rise For More UDA Disarmament

Loyalist paramilitaries could be poised to hand over more guns in the coming weeks, the Northern Ireland Secretary of State has suggested.

Shaun Woodward said he is optimistic the Ulster Defence Association will decommission further weaponry over Christmas.

In June, the UVF pledged to put all its military paraphernalia beyond use, however, the UDA only committed to decommissioning some of its guns.

Mr Woodward made his remarks following talks with Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin.

Commenting on the growing rift between Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, the NI Secretary insisted both men are "devolutionists".

Mr Woodward said he is hopeful the DUP and Sinn Fein can overcome their differences regarding to the transfer of policing and justice powers to the local Assembly.

The First and Deputy First Ministers held a tense press conference earlier this week, which showed cracks in their working relationship publicly for the first time.

Mr Woodward stressed the pair had reached agreement on a £1bn funding package for the new Stormont justice ministry.

"It's clear to me that what we've got to recognise here is the shared sense of common purpose," he said.

"Peter Robinson is a moderniser, he is a devolutionist, he does not want a British (government) secretary of state running policing and justice any more than Martin McGuinness wants to see - perhaps for different reasons - a British secretary of state running policing and justice.

"So let's be really clear: they share a common goal, they share a common purpose."

Mr Woodward conceded things were looking "a bit difficult", but pointed to earlier "obstacles that were overcome".

Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said that both the UK and Irish governments would support the ongoing process, adding he is hopeful further devolution can happen.

"Obviously both governments will work with the parties to support them in any way we can but obviously the parties have to come together as well and bring this about," he said.

"We know the steps that have to be taken - it is entirely feasible that that can be done early."

(PR/KMcA)