DOWNING STREET TALKS:TAOISEACH Brian Cowen will meet British prime minister Gordon Brown in Downing Street tomorrow, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and Northern secretary Shaun Woodward announced last night.
Mr Martin and Mr Woodward met at Iveagh House in Dublin, where they called for “serious progress” in the coming days on the devolution of policing and justice powers in the North. They said the two governments stood ready to assist the Northern parties in resolving outstanding issues.
Mr Martin said the devolution of policing and justice would send a clear message to dissidents. He referred to the “despicable” targeting of PSNI officer Constable Peadar Heffron by dissident republican bombers last week.
“The clearest message to the dissidents would be for the devolution of policing and justice to be completed without delay.” It would be the “perfect response” to such “dastardly” attacks.
“But we need more than condemnation. We need political leadership that demonstrates that the new policing and justice arrangements, that Constable Heffron is a symbol of, are here to stay.”
Mr Woodward arrived in Dublin at 8.30pm last night to meet Mr Martin. He said he remained optimistic that a way through the present difficulties in the North could be found.
“As Micheál announced, the prime minister will be hosting a meeting with the Taoiseach at Downing Street on Thursday, at which they will have the opportunity to review the progress.”
He said the events which led to DUP leader Peter Robinson standing down as First Minister temporarily on Monday had “spurred huge public turbulence” in Northern Ireland. He hoped Mr Robinson and his wife could resolve their family difficulties.
Meanwhile, Mr Martin said the Government looked forward to working with the DUP’s Minister for Enterprise Arlene Foster, who was appointed on Monday as acting First Minister for a maximum period of six weeks.
