FF and PD are united over the North - McDowell

The Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has insisted that the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fail are totally united in their desire to get an agreement in the North between Sinn Fein and the DUP.

Newspaper reports today had said that the release of Garda Jerry McCabe's killers is firmly off the table until there is a full and final settlement in the North.

The Justice Minister has said Sinn Fein must back the entire deal on offer.

Mr McDowell said the Government parties are completely at one on the North.

“There is no disunity in Government on this issue there is no difference of opinion on this issue,” he said.

“The Irish Government is very clear on this subject and that is that all parts of the deal must be delivered on and there can be no reservations and no holding back on any part of the deal.”