Mr Brown agreed a process to address outstanding monetary issues, including the Presbyterian Mutual Society crisis.

Mr Robinson said once a financial deal was in place he would commence a public consultation exercise to ensure there was community confidence for the legislative move.

"Everyone will have an opportunity to have their say and progress will be based on people being comfortable in moving forward," he said.

The process was hammered out during talks between Gordon Brown and First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at No 10 yesterday.

Stormont ministers have argued that Mr Brown should not only ensure the Executive has enough money to police the future but also address the many issues related to the past, such as the cost of investigating Troubles killings and compensation claims by former officers.

Mr Robinson said the government had to produce the money before devolution could go ahead.

"There are additional inescapable pressures which must be funded in order that the functions to be devolved are properly carried out and the Executive does not have to use a penny of its own resources," he said.

The Democratic Unionist leader said once a financial deal was in place he would commence a public consultation exercise to ensure there was community confidence for the legislative move. He said he would also consult fully with other political parties at Stormont.

"Everyone will have an opportunity to have their say and progress will be based on people being comfortable in moving forward," he said.

"I want the whole process to be entirely open and transparent. That is why at every stage I have placed in the public domain any and all agreements I have reached. There are no hidden deals or understandings."
Sinn Fein deputy leader Mr McGuinness said he was now confident the transfer of powers could be completed before the new year.

"I believe the devolution of policing and justice powers is eminently possible before the end of this year," he said.
"By September we expect a firm offer in terms of how to deal with outstanding legacy issues that we believe the British government have a responsibility to deal with."

UUP leader Sir Reg Empey's had earlier issued a warning to the Northern Ireland Office not to think about making help for the PMS conditional on successful devolution of policing and justice.
That now appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

He said before the meeting: "I am not saying this is happening but my comments are primarily directed at elements in the NIO and Shaun Woodward who might think these elements could be linked as some form of blackmail," said the Ulster Unionist party leader.

"We do not want a situation where we are told that if we want help with the PMS we must stick our paw up for devolution of policing and justice."

He said that although he was not claiming this was happening, he was nervous that the finance for policing and justice would be put on the table in autumn, the same time when the PMS working group is due to report its recommendations to the Prime Minister.

Yesterday's summit came as the Policing Board published its annual report.
Recently retired board chair Sir Desmond Rea said policing was now ready for devolution.

"We are now entering the final phase of the policing change programme with the process now in place to facilitate the transfer of powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly," he said.
"Policing is ready for the devolution of policing and justice - as is this Board."