DUP is failing to engage: Adams

Mr Adams says his party will work to resolve current problems

Gerry Adams has accused the DUP of failing to engage properly with his party in a bid to avoid a political crisis at Stormont.

The Sinn Féin leader also said the issues causing the current impasse went beyond the transfer of policing and justice and Irish Language issues.

He said they concerned a "fully functioning and cohesive government".

DUP junior minister Jeffrey Donaldson said his party was not the one actively blocking executive meetings.

"The only party preventing the executive from meeting is Sinn Fein. Every other party wants a meeting, including the DUP," he said.

"The DUP has signed 30 executive proposals which is enough to sustain three executive meetings so I think the people of Northern Ireland will reach their own conclusions as to who is holding up the process of government and creating uncertainty.

"The DUP is committed to good governance in Northern Ireland and we have engaged with Sinn Fein and the other parties on the main issues and we will continue to do so."

The fact is that despite all Sinn Féin's efforts there has not been a proper engagement or process Gerry Adams

Gerry Adams said: "In early June the DUP committed to a process of negotiations to resolve all of the outstanding matters - and these go beyond the issues of the transfer of powers on policing and justice and an Irish Language Act.

"Essentially, these are about getting as required by the agreements, a fully functioning and cohesive government delivering on all issues which effect citizens in their daily lives on the basis of equality.

"The fact is that despite all Sinn Féin's efforts there has not been a proper engagement or process, and these issues have not been satisfactorily addressed."

Mr Adams added that Sinn Féin would continue to work to try and resolve the problems.