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Robinson: progress being made to resolve political crisis

DUP leader Peter Robinson at Parliament Buildings in Belfast.  Picture by Mal McCann
DUP leader Peter Robinson at Parliament Buildings in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann DUP leader Peter Robinson at Parliament Buildings in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann

PROGRESS is being made to resolve the crisis threatening Stormont DUP leader Peter Robinson has insisted.

Although he declined to be drawn on details of discussions with Secretary of State Theresa Villiers, Mr Robinson said yesterday he was optimistic crunch talks to save Stormont's devolved Assembly could start early next week.

He said: "I am an optimist by nature. I believe that there is a way through."

Mr Robinson was speaking just hours before his party re-nominated four of its five resigned ministers to return to their jobs, only for them to quit again almost immediately.

If the party had not taken the step within seven days of last week's mass walkout then the portfolios would have been allocated to other parties.

The DUP's tactic of re-nominating ministers who then resign will mean the posts will effectively remain vacant until the party decides otherwise.

It is understood the DUP ministers signed off on some pressing departmental business in the short time they resumed their duties.

The Executive is teetering on the verge of collapse following last month's murder of former IRA member Kevin McGuigan.

Police said the IRA was involved in shooting the 53-year-old father-of-nine in a suspected revenge attack for the murder of former IRA commander Gerard "Jock" Davison in Belfast three months earlier.

The news angered unionists and prompted the UUP to quit the Executive.

Sinn Féin insisted the IRA has gone away and accused the two unionist parties of contriving a crisis for electoral gain.

On Tuesday Ms Villiers told the House of Commons "serious consideration" had to be given to establishing a new body to monitor paramilitary activity but stopped short of outlining definitive steps.

Mr Robinson yesterday said the status of paramilitary groups should be examined.

"I can listen to the chief constable with one ear and (deputy First Minister) Martin McGuinness in the other ear but at the end of the day you know who I am going to believe? I am going to believe the official, intelligence based report that I get either from the chief constable or from somebody else who has looked at the files and is aware of the intelligence," he said.

He added: "I think there is good cause for us to have a detailed evaluation of where the various paramilitary groups are at this time."

Mr McGuinness said yesterday he was optimistic cross-party talks would begin next week.

Following meetings with the British and Irish governments he said: "I am hopeful that everybody involved in this process will recognise the importance of turning up for the talks on Monday, so we can hit the ground running, dealing with all of the issues that represent a challenge for us".

He added: "If the unionist parties were honest, whatever they say publicly about Sinn Féin, I believe that privately they have no reservations whatsoever about our commitment to peace and democracy".

Mr McGuinness said he and Mr Robinson continued to meet "all the time" despite the crisis.

The UUP also met Ms Villiers at Stormont House earlier but declined to comment on what was said.

Meanwhile, SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said people were "fed up with talks about talks".

"The governments should be working through this - they must not give into demands or turn a blind eye in the face of denial."