The North's First Minister, Peter Robinson, and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, are to resume talks today over the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont.
The ministers held their fifth meeting in 10 days with British prime minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street yesterday and announced that fewer items remained unresolved. Sinn Féin has accepted the deal, but the DUP wants more clarification over the settlement, believed to be worth £800 million.
“There are still two issues that we are seeking clarification on and then we will go back to colleagues and supply them with the clarification that they sought,” Mr Robinson said
Speaking outside Downing Street alongside Finance Minister Sammy Wilson, he declined to say what the issues were. But he added they were important and went to the heart of concerns held by the DUP officer team in Belfast.
Sinn Féin has been claiming since protracted talks at Number 10 last week that the talks on a financial package to support the transfer of powers were effectively ended. Mr McGuinness said yesterday: “Apart from one or two little technical issues we have finalised the negotiations. This is not about figures at this stage, this is about technical matters.”
Elsewhere, it was revealed today the Northern Ireland Prison Service will have to save £10 million next year.
Cuts to backroom services like closing dining rooms are expected, but reductions will be imposed across the board, the service added. A review has begun of back office services.
The Northern Ireland Office is also looking at finance, human resources, IT, property and procurement across the department.
Additional reporting PA