Police power talks 'to intensify'

Peter Robinson on the transfer of policing powers to Stormont.

First Minister Peter Robinson has said he is willing to intensify talks with Sinn Féin on the transfer of policing powers to the Stormont government.

Mr Robinson said he had been discussing the issue with Martin McGuinness, the Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister.

He said no agreement had yet been reached, but added that he was "not gloomy" about the prospects of a deal.

Speaking at a legal conference in Belfast, he said an agreement needed to "command the confidence of everyone".

"I am committed and willing to intensify discussions with the Deputy First Minister and others in the period ahead to test the possibilities," he said.

He said that they would only proceed "when the community has the confidence to make progress".

"But at the same time we recognise that we have a responsibility to exert ourselves in order to identify safe structures which can create the conditions where this confidence will exist," he added.

The DUP has opposed the transfer of powers, saying there was insufficient community confidence in Sinn Féin's commitment to the rule of law.