'Defining' Stormont Justice Talks

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness will hold "defining talks" in the North later, as the political impasse over devolved justice powers threatens to collapse the local institutions.

Senior DUP and Sinn Fein figures will attempt to find a resolution to the ongoing stalemate, which intensified after republicans walked away from talks last week.

Irish Premier Brian Cowen will arrive in Downing Street later to discuss the looming crisis with Gordon Brown.

Sinn Fein has continued to call for policing and judiciary responsibilities to be transferred to Belfast as soon as possible.

The DUP insists devolved powers rest on satisfactory "community confidence".

Parading has transpired as the most continuous issue linked to "confidence" criteria.

The DUP has said the Parades Commission, which rules on Orange Order marches, should be replaced.

Sinn Fein has accused them of giving the Orange Order a veto over talks, suggesting the DUP leadership was playing to unionist hardliners.

So far Sinn Fein has decided not to remove Mr McGuinness from the joint office of First Minister, which would subsequently force Mr Robinson to resign.

Failure by both parties to renominate ministers to the office within seven days would restore direct rule to the Northern Ireland Office. An Assembly election would be called within weeks.

Sinn Fein Junior Minister Gerry Kelly said today's meeting would be "critical".

"We don't want to pull the plug on things... We want to sort it out," he said.

"What we are saying is that this was based on the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrews Agreement and that means it is based on equality.

"The First and Deputy First Ministers are actually two first ministers, all decisions are made through a consensus between the two first ministers and the DUP are not working that.

"What they are trying to do is work only what works for unionists."

DUP Minister Sammy Wilson said: "We are engaging and wishing to engage in negotiations in a totally honest way. We want to try and reach a conclusion."

Last night Mr McGuinness took private phone calls from both Mr Cowen and Mr Brown.

Downing Street said today's talks between the prime ministers were "part of ongoing discussions on Northern Ireland".

At the weekend Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said further discussions between First Minister Mr Robinson and Deputy First Minister Mr McGuinness would be "defining and critical".

(PR/BMcC)