SINN FÉIN president Gerry Adams has challenged First Minister Peter Robinson's argument that the public confidence does not exist to set a timeframe for the devolution of policing and justice powers.
Further talks are due to take place between the DUP and Sinn Féin ahead of Thursday's scheduled meeting of the Northern Executive and the plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) the following day.
While Mr Adams also held talks with Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward at Stormont yesterday, both the DUP and Sinn Féin appeared to remain firmly rutted in the standoff that has prevented meetings of the Executive since mid-June. There is increasing uncertainty over whether either the Executive or NSMC will convene this week.
Sinn Féin leaders say they must have a "timeframe" for transferring policing and justice powers, while senior DUP politicians say this can only happen when there is public confidence for such a move.
Business continues to be done at ministerial level, but issues such as releasing special payments to alleviate fuel poverty are being held up because of the continuing deadlock.
Minister for Health Michael McGimpsey yesterday announced proposals to abolish prescription charges in Northern Ireland. The current charge per doctor's prescription is £6.95, but this will drop to £3 by January with charges ending in April 2010. There is no charge for a doctor's appointment.
Mr McGimpsey said the £13 million cost of meeting these charges would come from his department.
As the proposals don't cross over into other departments, he could proceed with the plan without Executive approval. Mr McGimpsey nonetheless hoped that he would receive full Executive authorisation for his plan.
Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said in the Assembly yesterday that he was "working to ensure that a meeting of the Executive" takes place on Thursday. But the future of the Executive remained uncertain last night with no obvious sign of when or how a breakthrough might be achieved, even if the DUP and Sinn Féin were still talking.
"We are in a very, very serious situation at this time, all of us, all of the MLAs, most particularly those people who are looking to us for leadership to deal with a range of issues," said Mr Adams after meeting Mr Woodward.
Mr Adams rejected Mr Robinson's assertion that the unionist public would not tolerate a move on policing and justice at present, although he has conceded "it will" happen eventually.
Mr Adams referred to how the DUP and Sinn Féin have agreed that in the lifetime of this Assembly, neither party will take a justice ministry.
"The situation now is that both the DUP and Sinn Féin have agreed that at this time we will not put forward nominations for that ministry. So the community confidence issue is resolved," he added.
