Assembly 'may fill justice post'

Sinn Féin has not ruled out the possibility of a future justice minister being elected by a cross-community vote in the assembly.

The party's Gerry Kelly said the idea of a cross-community appointment, possibly from the Alliance party, was one of the ideas put up for discussion.

First Minister Peter Robinson has accused Sinn Fein of "blocking the transaction of Executive business".

However, Mr Kelly said his party was working to resolve the issue.

"We are open to talk about anything which will move this process forward," he said.

However, Mr Robinson said as far as Executive business was concerned, it was Sinn Féin which was obstructing progress.

"When I came into office as first minister I started work on clearing Executive papers," he said.

"Over 30 papers are cleared by me and when they are cleared by the deputy first minister (Martin McGuinness) they form the agenda for an Executive meeting.

"Sinn Féin should get on with it and stop dragging their feet."