Taoiseach in London for talks on NI

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is due in London later today to meet the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the recent leap of progress towards devolution of policing and justice powers in Northern Ireland.

Peter Robinson's side step from his post of First Minister has led to an acceleration of movement on the devolution issue and a renewed focus in talks between the DUP and Sinn Féin.

Late last year Gordon Brown offered the DUP and Sinn Féin almost £1bn to facilitate the transfer of policing and justice powers but the transfer has up to now been resisted by the DUP who have insisted other confidence building measures are needed before the devolution happens.

However, the recent advancement in the transition of powers, coming as it has in the shadow of the leader of the DUP and his wife became embroiled in scandal, has sparked concern in the wider wings of unionism.

UUP leader, Sir Reg Empy said: "I would urge caution now against any precipitate decisions being made by the First Minister on critical issues like Policing and Justice, or Education.

"Peter Robinson has indicated that he will stay on to discuss the issues of policing and justice - will the growing pressure that he is under either reduce him to the status of a 'lame duck' or leave him at the mercy of his own internal hardliners or Sinn Fein?"

However, Sinn Féin MLA for East Derry, Billy Leonard, branded Sir Reg's remarks as "Unionist politicking at its best".

Today at Downing Street the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister are expected to take advantage of the renewed focus and to encourage Sinn Féin and the DUP to resolve the outstanding issues in relation to devolution.

Failure to do so could lead to the collapse of the Assembly and new Stormont elections. With the future of the Northern Irish First Minister uncertain this could spell disaster for a currently crippled DUP

(DW/BMcC)