DUP intransigence is blocking the transfer of policing and justice powers to a restored Stormont Assembly, Sinn Féin has alleged.
Following a meeting of the Preparation for Government committee on the transfer of policing and justice powers, Gerry Kelly said that opposition to devolution and power-sharing involving republicans by unionists was the key.
The committee comprises members of the Stormont Assembly parties who are working to outline the obstacles to a return of devolution.
After the committee session at Stormont yesterday, Mr Kelly claimed that cross-party agreement on most policing issues had been achieved. "Considerable progress was made at [yesterday's] meetings," he said.
"Sinn Féin argued that all powers and responsibilities on policing and justice issues currently held by the British government should be transferred to a locally accountable Assembly.
"We have reached agreement on the vast majority of issues that should be transferred," Mr Kelly explained. "The key outstanding matter is the timeframe for the transfer of these powers and, crucially, the restoration of the political institutions to allow this to happen. The only obstacle to achieving this is the DUP."
The DUP has steadfastly argued that republicans need to prove to the satisfaction of the unionist community that it is fully committed to the democratic process. Republicans have dismissed this as political stalling.
Policing is expected to figure large in forthcoming talks about the restoration of Stormont.
The next report of the Independent Monitoring Commission, which monitors paramilitary ceasefires, is due in October, but senior British and Irish ministers have already stated they believe the IRA is delivering on last year's commitment to end all activity.
Northern Secretary Peter Hain was criticised yesterday by the DUP for failing to appear before the Stormont committee to discuss policing. Arlene Foster said it was disappointing, having flagged up in a recent speech the importance of policing, that the minister would not appear before Assembly members this month.
She accused Mr Hain of looking for any excuse to say Sinn Féin was signing up to policing.
"Much like the [British] government's approach to community restorative justice, rather than face down republicans, efforts seem to be directed at creating the impression of movement by Sinn Féin without them having to do anything significant at all.
"The DUP has consistently argued," Ms Foster added, "that it is the total acceptance of the rule of law that is necessary rather than any cosmetic gesture or the mere taking of seats on any specific body."