Published Monday, 09 November 2009
Mr Donaldson said there had to be confidence within the unionist community before devolution could happen.
"There are a number of issues that we are dealing with at the moment with the government. The Full-Time reserve is one of those issues, parades another, PPWs and so on", Jeffrey Donaldson told UTV.
"We have made it clear to the Prime Minister, we need to have these issues resolved because it is about building the confidence that is necessary for policing and justice devolution to take place, so in a sense all of these issues are about building public confidence, and unless that confidence is there devolution doesn't happen," he added.
His remarks followed comments by First Minister Peter Robinson that changes had to be made to how contentious Orange parades were managed before his party signed up.
Sinn Fein claim both issues are preconditions the DUP have thrown into the mix at the last minute in a bid to delay devolution in the face of hard-line opposition both inside and outside the party.
Sinn Fein Junior Minister Gerry Kelly said they had not been identified as a make or break issue by the DUP until after the outstanding financial problems were resolved.
Last month Prime Minister Gordon Brown offered £1bn to support the new justice ministry.
"A couple of weeks ago we get the parades as a precondition, then we get Jeffrey Donaldson today saying the retention of the full time reserve is a precondition," Gerry Kelly said.
"Jeffery Donaldson did not help the position this morning; it was a very foolish statement. We know what Patten said about the Full-Time Reserve they are on their way out and to make another pre-condition and to try and turn back the wheels of time is not going to sort this problem out," Mr Kelly told UTV.
While Mr Kelly said the DUP's stance had created "very difficult circumstances" within the executive, he rejected as "foolish" speculation that republicans would walk away from the powersharing institutions if progress was not made.
He also questioned how long the £1bn offer would remain on the table in the current economic climate.
"We need to get this sorted by Christmas," he said.