Hopes rise as Paisley meets Catholic archbishop

DUP leader Ian Paisley is today meeting the Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Sean Brady as optimism grows that crunch talks on power sharing could produce a breakthrough.

The highly symbolic visit to Stormont by the Archbishop of Armagh adds to speculation the DUP is preparing to cut a deal on devolution as long as Sinn Féin gives ground on policing.

Given Dr Paisley’s harsh words against the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church in the past — he once dubbed the Pope “the scarlet whore of Rome” — the meeting with Archbishop Brady is being seen as a goodwill gesture ahead of intensive talks in Scotland, later in the week.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are set to give Northern party leaders a “heads of agreement” document at St Andrews on Wednesday which, they hope, will form the basis of an agreement to restore devolution before the November 24 deadline.

However, a final deal is not expected to emerge at the summit as the DUP is still requiring assurances on a range of matters.

Mr Paisley is anxious to secure a guarantee that the progress made by the IRA in dismantling its paramilitary structures and disassociating itself from criminality is irreversible.

The party will also want changes to the way political institutions under the Good Friday Agreement operate, making devolved ministers more accountable to their power-sharing colleagues for their decisions and also rendering cross-Border cooperation with the Irish government more accountable to the Assembly at Stormont.

The DUP has also highlighted as critical the need for Sinn Féin to change its policy on policing, urging its supporters to cooperate with the PSNI.

But, Republicans have indicated that the policing issue will be dealt with once they know a power sharing government with the DUP will be formed.

Sinn Féinis expected to raise human rights and Irish language issues and will also address the question of on-the-runs (OTRs) who want to return to the North.

North Belfast MP and DUP negotiator Nigel Dodds described proposals for an OTRs’ amnesty as a deal breaker. Sinn Féin has stated the issue would not be a stumbling block.