22/09/2009

Devolution Talks To Resume In NYC

Northern Ireland's top ministers will continue discussions over devolved policing and justice powers in New York tomorrow.

However, First Minister Peter Robinson (pictured) has rejected the Deputy First Minister's suggestions talks were nearing completion.

Martin McGuinness had indicated a final financial deal could be agreed by the end of this week.

Mr Robinson conceded progress had been made at Downing Street yesterday, but insisted some issues are still outstanding.

The ministers have held a series of meetings with Prime Minister Gordon Brown in an attempt to secure adequate funding for the new Executive powers.

As part of the deal, the control of local policing and the province's judicial system will be transfered to a Stormont minister.

Ministers Robinson and McGuinness are due to attend an economic conference in New York city later, but are expected to resume budgetary talks.

Mr Robinson said: "A number of big-ticket issues remain outstanding and have not been addressed by the government, however, the prime minister has given a commitment to deal with these matters later this week.

"Whilst I will be travelling to New York on Wednesday morning, I have made it clear that these financial discussions will not be concluded in the States.

"As far as I am concerned, the party will not be concluding the financial deal until the party officers and our assembly group have evaluated the package and are satisfied."

Despite this, Mr McGuinness said he was hopeful discussion could be concluded in NYC.

"I said last week that I thought we had made good progress," he told the BCC.

"I think we've made further good progress - even significant progress - in the course of our discussions this evening around a range of issues that are of concern to us.

"We are hoping to conclude our discussions on all of this in New York on Wednesday."

(PR/GK)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

16 March 2009
Murders Fail To Halt $30m US Investment
There's an early St Patrick's Day celebration stateside as news of a $30m US-backed investment in Northern Ireland is revealed. The cash is to be made available for potential investment by the New York state retirement fund.
07 May 2008
Jobs Creation Targeted In NI-US Conference
In one of his last official roles before stepping down, NI First Minister Ian Paisley - and the Deputy First Martin McGuinness - have each heralded the US-NI investment conference as a potential catalyst for economic transformation here. Seeking job creation on a massive scale, they have welcomed the delegation from the US which arrived in Belfast.
04 June 2018
New York Pizza Firm To Create 50 New Posts In Belfast
A New York pizza firm is to create 50 new posts in Belfast. Slice, which provides an online and mobile ordering and payment platform for independent pizzerias in the US, is establishing a new software engineering centre in Northern Ireland.
13 September 2013
Robinson And McGuinness Address The Awards In New York
The First Minister the Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MLA and the deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA have addressed the 16th Annual Irish America Wall Street 50 Awards in New York. The Ministers were attending the event as part of their five-day visit to New York.
07 November 2011
Housing Minister In USA For Talks
Stormont has moved to the USA this week with news that the NI Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has begun an intensive round of engagements in the country. He will meet with key people involved in housing and urban regeneration initiatives and see practical examples of their work on the ground.