Talks in North set to continue today

Crunch talks between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionists aimed at devolving policing powers to the North are due to resume in Belfast today.

The high-level negotiations will take place inside Stormont Castle amid mounting hopes that a breakthrough to end the two year impasse over the contentious issue is close.

Over the weekend both parties' respective leaders expressed optimism an agreement could be struck that would see law and order responsibilities transferred from Westminster to the North's powersharing government.

Troubled DUP leader Peter Robinson, still coping with the fall out from the scandal involving his wife Iris, said yesterday he was "more convinced than ever" the outstanding matters can be worked through.

The East Belfast MP, who has temporarily stepped down as First Minister in the wake of the controversy engulfing his family, said there were three issues to resolve - namely, who will be the new Justice Minister, how he or she will work with Executive colleagues and how controversial parades will be managed in the future?

His positive read on events came a day after Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, himself facing personal problems over sex abuse allegations levelled at his brother Liam, expressed hope an agreement was workable.

The sense of improving relations between the rowing partners in the mandatory coalition administration was underlined yesterday when it was revealed that Mr Robinson shook hands with Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness for the first time.

The senior republican offered his hand to commiserate with him over his personal troubles.

"He expressed sympathy to me and put out his hand," Mr Robinson told the Sunday Times of the private exchange.

"I thought it would be wrong of me in those circumstances to do anything other than that (shake it)."

Mr Robinson has stood down as First Minister for six weeks to deal with the revelations that destroyed his wife's political career and threatens his.

He is facing a series of official probes after claims he did not alert the authorities to Mrs Robinson's failure to declare £50,000 (€56,725) she obtained from two wealthy developers to set her teenage lover up in business - allegations he vehemently denies.

The deeply symbolic moment between the effective head of unionism in the North and a self-confessed former IRA commander would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

Sinn Féin has its own problems and Mr Adams was under further pressure yesterday after fresh claims he covered up sex abuse allegations against fellow republicans - one of them an elected member of his party.

Already facing tough questions over his handling of sex charges against his brother Liam, alleged victims of two other suspected abusers have accused the west Belfast MP of failing to act against them.

The Sinn Féin president vehemently denied he was part of any alleged cover up to protect his brother or the other suspected abusers.

Both parties took a break from the marathon devolution talks yesterday.

On Saturday, Mr Robinson briefed party colleagues on the progress of the negotiations.

That meeting was described as "very useful and constructive".