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Leaders discuss Northern Ireland Leaders urge last devolution step
(about 3 hours later)
Gordon Brown and Bertie Ahern are holding talks about political progress made in Northern Ireland. Gordon Brown and Bertie Ahern have urged Northern Ireland's parties to complete the process of devolution by taking on policing and justice powers.
The two premiers are in Manchester to attend ceremonies marking 50 years since the Munich air disaster. The St Andrews Agreement set a May deadline, but some DUP members remain to be convinced.
On the agenda was a discussion of how Northern Ireland's parties can meet political and economic challenges in the year ahead. The premiers said the implementation of St Andrews was "building the community confidence necessary to enable transfer of these powers to take place".
The devolution of justice and policing powers from Westminster to Stormont was also being discussed. They were in Manchester to mark 50 years since the Munich air disaster.
Sinn Fein have identified this issue as a major priority, but the DUP believe the transfer of those powers is unlikely by the target date of May. In a joint statement, the British and Irish prime ministers said: "We stand ready to help the political parties as they work to complete the process of devolution through the devolution of policing and justice powers."
The future of bilateral relations between the Republic of Ireland and the UK was also on the agenda, along with a range of international issues, including developments in the European Union and the global economic situation. They added: "Having seen the huge progress made, we are convinced that the time is right for the parties to move forward and take the final steps towards full devolution and full normality."
It is the third time the pair have met since Mr Brown became prime minister in June. Sinn Fein have identified devolution of policing and justice as a major priority, but the DUP believe the transfer of these powers is unlikely by the target date of May.
It was the third time the pair have met since Mr Brown became prime minister in June.