No negotiating powers for new committee, says Hain

Northern Secretary Peter Hain has said the Stormont Assembly committee he is setting up to discuss the restoration of devolution in the North will not have negotiating powers.

Mr Hain was responding to questions from DUP leader Ian Paisley at Westminster today.

Mr Paisley has said his party will refuse to take part in the new committee if its purpose is to negotiate a return to power-sharing.

The stance is part of the DUP's ongoing refusal to enter any form of negotiations with Sinn Féin.

However, Mr Hain said the committee was being set up to identify issues of concern and any future negotiations on power-sharing would still involve the Irish and British governments.