The continuing standoff between the DUP and Sinn Féin over the First Minister and Deputy First Minister pledge of office dispute is causing some disquiet in Dublin and London, according to senior official and political sources.
Despite the British government acting as the chief intermediary between the DUP and Sinn Féin there is no sign of an end to this deadlock, which forced the postponement of a planned symbolic face-to-face encounter between DUP leader Dr Paisley and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams at Stormont last Tuesday week.
The DUP is insisting that before Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness can be deemed First Minister and Deputy First Minister designate by the scheduled date of November 24th, Mr McGuinness must sign up to a pledge of office that incorporates a commitment to support the PSNI and law and order.
Sinn Féin is arguing that it cannot by that date make such a commitment because it would be seen by republican grassroots as the Sinn Féin leadership pre-empting what decision a Sinn Féin ardfheis - which is to be held after November 24th - would take on policing.
"We understand Sinn Féin's difficulties here, but policing is a bottom line issue for us and that commitment must be there before Ian Paisley will sign up as First Minister designate. Sinn Féin have to work it out for themselves," said one senior DUP figure.
At the weekend Mr McGuinness indicated he could sign up to a conditional pledge by November 24th but it was unclear whether this could also involve a contingent commitment on policing. "We can't be seen to be overriding what an ardfheis might do," said a senior Sinn Féin source.
All sides involved in trying to find a compromise described the issue as "work in progress" although there is British and Irish governmental concern that the dispute has stalled the positive momentum of the St Andrews Agreement. "The wind seems to have been taken out of events for the moment by this row, although it is still only October. Neither side at this stage seems prepared to move from their positions which is causing some concern," said one senior official.
SDLP Assembly member Sean Farren said the DUP and Sinn Féin were being unreasonable on the issue. "The solution is staring parties in the face. Sinn Féin should agree to ministers signing up to the rule of law and policing - and the DUP should agree that ministers do this in March, not in November before a Sinn Féin ardfheis," he said.
