Robinson says ‘progress being made’ in talks process

DUP leader Peter Robinson says he wants round-table talks to begin on Monday but he needs commitments from the British government for that to happen.

Following discussions with Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers at Stormont House on Wednesday, Mr Robinson said "progress is being made" in terms of meeting the DUP's requirements, but more talks were needed with the British government. As Ms Villiers and Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan continue to search for a resolution, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said yesterday he hoped all-party talks could "be got on track shortly".

Mr Robinson, who stood aside as first minister last week in response to the crisis following from the murder of Belfast republican Kevin McGuigan, did not specify what his requirements were, although they are understood to relate to security measures to deal with paramilitary crime and other activity.

Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also appeared more guardedly hopeful on Wednesday evening. He said society needed more than a body which made statements about criminal activity. What was required, he added, was action from police on both sides of the Border against the armed groups that still exist.

Ms Villiers said in the House of Commons on Tuesday that “serious consideration” should be given to creating a new body to determine the status of the IRA and other paramilitary groups. However, she indicated such measures could only be agreed at all-party talks involving the British and Irish governments.

The DUP initially said this response was “inadequate”, but Mr Robinson said, after meeting Ms Villiers, there was no reason why his concerns could not be met by the end of this week.

Asked if he would resign next week if Ms Villiers did not provide him with the commitments he required, Mr Robinson replied: “If we can’t get a proper basis for talks, if talks don’t take place, if there isn’t an outcome, then clearly that spells the end of the Assembly. I am an optimist by nature,” he added. “I believe that there is a way through . . . I still believe that the direction of travel is right.”

Mr Robinson withdrew all his Ministers apart from acting First Minister Arlene Foster from the Executive last week after three senior republicans, including Sinn Féin's Northern chairman Bobby Storey, were arrested in connection with Mr McGuigan's murder. They have been released unconditionally.

In a tactical procedural move on Wednesday, the DUP renominated the three senior Ministers and one junior Minister to prevent Sinn Féin, SDLP or Alliance Ministers taking over their portfolios.

Sinn Féin leaders such as Gerry Adams and Mr McGuinness have rejected the assessment by PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton that the IRA still exists and that some of its members were involved in Mr McGuigan's murder. They insist the IRA has "gone away".

“I have to take my evidence from people in the security services,” Mr Robinson said. “I can listen to Martin McGuinness in one ear and the chief constable in the other. At the end of the day, you know who I am going to believe: I am going to the official intelligence-based report.”