McGuinness and Cowen discuss policing transfer

Martin McGuinness tonight revealed a meeting with Taoiseach Brian Cowen over the transferring of policing and powers was constructive.

The North's Deputy First Minister said he and Mr Cowen both agreed there can be no preconditions on the move.

However Mr McGuinness said a date must be agreed before Christmas for the transfer to take place and take effect early in the New Year.

Mr McGuinness said he also used the hour-long meeting in Tullymore, Co Offaly to raise his concerns over comments by Peter Robinson.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader and First Minister recently said he will only agree to a deal on devolution when his party believes there is sufficient public confidence in the move.

He has also sought concessions on the future stewardship of Orange Order parades, plus the future of the police reserve and access to personal protection weapons for former security force members.

The transfer of the powers would establish a new Justice Ministry at Stormont in an administration led by the DUP and Sinn Féin, who share the top political post of the joint Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM).

The transfer of the powers was promised in the St Andrews agreement of 2006 which led to republican acceptance of the Northern Ireland police force for the first time and which paved the way for the DUP and Sinn Féin entering power-sharing government together.

Mr McGuinness accused the DUP of failing to embrace the equality, partnership and power sharing arrangements which lie at the heart of these agreements.

“What we all want to see now is the necessary leadership to be shown by Peter and for him to step up to the mark and to get this job done,” added Mr McGuinness.