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Stormont crisis: Cross-party talks move into second week | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Talks between Northern Ireland's five main political parties have moved into a second week, with the focus on paramilitary groups. | |
Discussions began last week in a bid to resolve the political row at Stormont. | Discussions began last week in a bid to resolve the political row at Stormont. |
The crisis was triggered when police said they believed IRA members had been involved in the murder of a former IRA man in Belfast last month. | The crisis was triggered when police said they believed IRA members had been involved in the murder of a former IRA man in Belfast last month. |
Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said finding resolution in the negotiations would be "very difficult". | Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said finding resolution in the negotiations would be "very difficult". |
But she added that the parties had "established a sound basis on which to take forward the discussions with greater intensity" this week. | But she added that the parties had "established a sound basis on which to take forward the discussions with greater intensity" this week. |
Legacy | Legacy |
She said the "impact of paramilitary organisations" was the matter on the agenda for Monday's round of talks. | |
That is one of the primary issues on the table during the cross-party negotiations. | That is one of the primary issues on the table during the cross-party negotiations. |
Stormont's finances - a major factor is the implementation of welfare reform - is the other main matter on which the parties are trying to find resolution. | Stormont's finances - a major factor is the implementation of welfare reform - is the other main matter on which the parties are trying to find resolution. |
Ms Villiers had said the opening week of talks had been "useful and intensive" and that she was encouraged that the parties had shown a commitment to dealing with the impact and legacy of paramilitary activity. | Ms Villiers had said the opening week of talks had been "useful and intensive" and that she was encouraged that the parties had shown a commitment to dealing with the impact and legacy of paramilitary activity. |
In August, police said they believed IRA members had played a part in the murder of Kevin McGuigan Sr. | In August, police said they believed IRA members had played a part in the murder of Kevin McGuigan Sr. |
Resigning | Resigning |
Chief Constable George Hamilton said the IRA was still in existence, but added that the organisation was not engaged in terrorism. | Chief Constable George Hamilton said the IRA was still in existence, but added that the organisation was not engaged in terrorism. |
The claims led to a breakdown in trust between Sinn Féin and unionist parties. | The claims led to a breakdown in trust between Sinn Féin and unionist parties. |
The Ulster Unionists withdrew from Northern Ireland's ruling executive, with three Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ministers also later resigning, and DUP leader Peter Robinson stepping aside as first minister. | The Ulster Unionists withdrew from Northern Ireland's ruling executive, with three Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ministers also later resigning, and DUP leader Peter Robinson stepping aside as first minister. |
Unionists agreed to join the talks when the government ordered an independent review of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland earlier this month. | Unionists agreed to join the talks when the government ordered an independent review of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland earlier this month. |
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