Hain expects changed SF policing attitude
26 June 2006 22:28
The Northern Secretary, Peter Hain, has said that he expects to see increasing evidence that Sinn Féin is changing its attitude to policing in Northern Ireland.
Mr Hain said the British government was keeping its promise to devolve powers for justice and policing matters from Westminster to Stormont.
He made his comments after talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, at Hillsborough.
The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, will meet all the Northern Ireland parties on Thursday.
This morning’s discussions between Mr Hain and Mr Ahern finalised the agenda for Thursday’s meeting.
Although the deadline for the restoration of power-sharing in Northern Ireland has been set for 24 November, progress has been slow.
Both governments are likely to repeat this week that they are serious about closing Stormont in November unless there is a power-sharing executive in place.
