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Policing impasse ‘must be resolved despite Iris Robinson scandal’

By Noel McAdam
Saturday, 9 January 2010

Sinn Fein has dramatically postponed its planned executive meeting in Dublin today — but warned the policing and justice impasse needs to be resolved despite the Robinson family scandal.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has briefed the Irish government and plans to talk to Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the next few days about his party’s fury that a date for the transfer of powers has not yet been agreed.

Mr McGuinness also signalled his “deep concern” at the failure to meet First Minister Peter Robinson yesterday, although it is understood the two men spoke by telephone.

“Regardless of the fallout from the Robinsons problems these issues need to be resolved,” a senior Sinn Fein source said last night.

Officially, today’s long-planned ard comhairle meeting was being temporarily postponed due to the deteriorating weather situation. Mr McGuinness had been expected to brief activists.

But party president Gerry Adams also signalled his discontent. “It is three years ago this month since we held a special party ard fheis in relation to policing,” he said.

“And for the last three years the DUP have done everything they can to prevent change from happening. Enough is enough.

“These are not Sinn F�in issues.

“They are part of the St Andrews Agreement.

“The DUP signed up for that Agreement and it is the governments who are guarantors to the Agreement.”