Northern Ireland leader in power-sharing vow

Published on Saturday 21 November 2009 20:00

NORTHERN Ireland first minister Peter Robinson yesterday admitted he cannot guarantee the future of the legislative assembly, but pledged his Democratic Unionist Party would not walk away from power-sharing with Sinn Fein.

Speaking at the DUP's conference on the outskirts of Belfast, he added: "I can also guarantee that, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, the DUP will act in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland."

The DUP is at odds with Sinn Fein over when policing and justice powers should be devolved from London to Belfast. Sinn Fein wants the DUP to agree to a date for the transfer of powers, however, there was no commitment in Robinson's speech.

Sinn Fein wants policing powers devolved as soon as possible. The DUP wants to ensure that there is enough community confidence, which would involve unionist trust that there are sufficient political checks and balances on future republican involvement in policing and justice.