DUP leader Peter Robinson calls for 'intensive talks' process

Peter Robinson said that the government should decide what parties are invited to the talks

First Minister Peter Robinson has called for an intensive talks process to resolve difficulties at Stormont.

He said the negotiations should deal with the issues arising from the murder of Kevin McGuigan and other matters causing a deadlock between the parties.

Speaking to RTÉ, he said it "should be entirely a matter for the government" who is invited to the talks.

The first minister added that the mechanisms for excluding a party from government should be discussed.

He said that the current process wouldn't allow the DUP to exclude Sinn Féin, because Sinn Féin had enough MLAs to block an exclusion motion in the assembly.

'No firm basis'

Referring to welfare changes, Mr Robinson said there was already a "massive problem" facing the executive before the more recent developments.

He said: "Added to that, we now have to deal with the relationship between paramilitary organisations and membership of the executive.

"I believe we need a proper intensive talks process to see if those issues can be resolved because if they are not resolved, then there is not a firm basis for us to proceed with government."

Mr Robinson also criticised the Ulster Unionists' decision to leave government: "I cannot understand the logic of Mike Nesbitt punishing the unionist community by taking his party out of the executive for the wrongs of others."

Writing in the Belfast Telegraph earlier on Monday, Mr Robinson called the decision "irresponsible and illogical".

UUP leader Mike Nesbitt responded that it was "remarkable" that Mr Robinson "cannot agree with me that enough is enough and take a principled stand".