There is growing speculation that Alliance could be asked to take the reins at any new law and order department, as the DUP remains opposed to republicans having such powers and Sinn Fein is likely to mount a similar objection to unionism being in-charge.

The News Letter understands that the proposition has been discussed informally in a round of meetings between all five main parties within the last fortnight.

But speaking yesterday, Mr Ford said: "Any decision on setting up a ministry of justice would mostly lie with the Office of First and Deputy First Minister.

"If they want to talk to us about an Alliance role, presumably they will. But they have not done so, thus far."

Last week, DUP leader Peter Robinson confirmed talks on a range of outstanding devolved issues are intensifying, now that the Assembly is in recess.

His party has indicated that it is not yet of a mind to agree the devolution of policing.

Issues such as the disbandment of the IRA Army Council, UK Treasury resources for the PSNI and unionist confidence are all outstanding.
But it is negotiating on what form a devolved law and order ministry would take, if and when the time arrives for powers to be transferred from Westminster.

The DUP is adamant that when the handover does take place, however, Sinn Fein – with its past paramilitary and criminal links – will not be allowed to take that ministry.

A "neutral" or more independent minister will, instead, be required.
The party is also said to prefer a single ministry, rather than splitting policing and justice in two – which complicates decision-making and creates further costs.

Shortly after the 2006 St Andrews talks, the then Secretary of State, Peter Hain, approached Alliance about taking on this role.

But the party told him to get lost, when it emerged his proposal of a ministerial post did not include full membership and voting rights on the Stormont Executive and lacked control over other matters like the departmental budget.

Nearly two years on, however, the suggestion of Alliance taking the ministry once more seems the most likely option, if there is to be a deal.

It is thought Alliance – though it rejected taking up the position of Assembly Speaker last year – would be prepared to talk.

Though the party would surely have its own demands and not allow a bargaining position to go begging.

Mr Ford would certainly be looking for more than just a bystander's seat at the Executive table, if his party is to take on ministerial responsibility.

And Alliance could use the opportunity to press on other matters that have vexed it during the first year of devolution, such as its exclusion from the important Executive Review Committee or its unhappiness with the general operation of government and its structures.

If, and it remains an if, Alliance were to take on a justice ministry, however, new legislation would be required at Westminster to allow this to happen – as the party does not have enough MLAs to entitle it to a ministerial post.

Presuming that Parliament would be double-quick to tweak the legislation to make their inclusion possible.

There are plenty of examples of Alliance pulling the irons out of the fire before. When the British and Irish governments wanted to pick a Northern Ireland representative for the decommissioning body, it was obvious that they couldn't pick a nationalist or unionist, so their choice was Lord Alderdice, a former Alliance leader, and he met general acceptance. He had been speaker of an earlier Assembly, as has his party colleague Eileen Bell, at a period when agreement could not be reached between nationalists and unionists.

This second-class status was turned down and would be rejected again.