Parties want halt to water laws

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The Stormont Programme for Government Committee has called on the government to defer the legislation which provides for the introduction of water charges.

The charges are due to come into force in April next year.

The committee is also examining how any economic package accompanying the restoration of devolution could be improved.

Senior Sinn Fein, DUP, SDLP and UUP politicians took part in the key meeting of the new committee.

The committee was created to draw up a programme for devolved government.

DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson indicated that the committee should also examine the issue of academic selection.

'No agreement'

Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams said the committee would look at setting up sub-committees on a number of issues including policing.

However, Mr Robinson said there had been no agreement to create a policing sub-committee.

DUP leader Ian Paisely was not present at the meeting and Mr Robinson headed his party's delegation.

The other parties were represented by their leaders.

The meeting of the committee took place ahead of Friday's first meeting of the so-called transitional assembly.

A meeting had been due to take place in October, but it was postponed because of a row over when the parties should pledge support for the police.

Mr Adams said it was "a good start" and a "business-like meeting" but there was a lot of work to be done.

"There was a large degree of agreement on many issues," he said.

DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said it could be "several political lifetimes" before there was the community confidence to have policing and justice powers devolved to Northern Ireland because of "the rate Sinn Fein are going".

'Foreseeable future'

He said it was essential Sinn Fein recognise the need to build confidence in the community.

"It doesn't exist. I can't see it in the foreseeable future existing and like Nigel (Dodds) - indeed I probably said before Nigel - it wouldn't be in my lifetime never mind in my political lifetime."

The decision not to invite the Alliance Party to the talks was criticised by party leader David Ford who said the government was "prejudging the outcome of next spring's election and the shape of any future executive".

Sir Reg was also critical of the government because his party was only given one working day's notice of the talks.

BBC political editor Mark Devenport said: "Despite the problems, the government remains hopeful that the committee can pave the way towards 26 March, the only devolution deadline which now appears to count."

Last week, the government announced that elections to a new Northern Ireland Assembly would be held on 7 March next year.

A transitional assembly, which comes into effect this Friday, has been established until then.