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Stormont negotiations to resume amid talk of NI deal Stormont talks: Theresa Villiers 'reluctant to predict deal'
(about 5 hours later)
Inter-party talks at Stormont are to resume later, amid growing speculation that a deal could be reached this week. A deal at Stormont inter-party talks in the next few days is not certain, the Northern Ireland secretary has said.
Northern Ireland's five biggest parties have been in negotiations about the budget and welfare reform, as well as past and present paramilitary activity.Northern Ireland's five biggest parties have been in negotiations about the budget and welfare reform, as well as past and present paramilitary activity.
First and Deputy First Minister Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness met Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny in Belfast on Monday. Theresa Villiers said there was still no resolution on implementing welfare reform, while legacy issues "also continue to be very sensitive".
Speaking afterwards, Mr McGuinness said the talks were "at a critical stage". She said she was "reluctant" to predict when a deal might be reached.
"We're not there yet, but I think if there is enough goodwill to push this over the line, then we certainly are very determined," said the Sinn Féin assembly member. "I think it's increasingly urgent that we get these things settled - of course, I'd like to see them settled this week and I will be working very hard to achieve that," she said.
"I think (DUP leader) Peter Robinson is determined also, and I think the other party leaders too want to see a breakthrough." On Monday, Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny said he was hopeful that an agreement "might be concluded by the weekend".
Mr Kenny travelled to Northern Ireland after meeting David Cameron at Downing Street. He was speaking after meeting David Cameron at Downing Street. He later met First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness in Belfast.
After that meeting, Mr Kenny said he was hopeful that a deal could be agreed within the next few days. Mr McGuinness said afterwards that the talks were at a critical stage, and he believed all the parties wanted to see a breakthrough.
"I would be hopeful that having had briefings from the minister for foreign affairs (Charlie Flanagan) in respect of these discussions that they might be able to be concluded this week," he added.
The Taoiseach said he hoped that agreement "might be concluded by the weekend, though obviously we will have to wait and see what the outcome will be".
Negotiators have been holding talks at Stormont House for almost nine weeks.Negotiators have been holding talks at Stormont House for almost nine weeks.
The current crisis at Stormont was triggered when police said they believed IRA members had been involved in the murder of a former IRA man.The current crisis at Stormont was triggered when police said they believed IRA members had been involved in the murder of a former IRA man.
The parties have also been deadlocked over the issue of welfare reform.The parties have also been deadlocked over the issue of welfare reform.
The Northern Ireland parties had agreed on a welfare reform deal in December but Sinn Féin withdrew its support in March.The Northern Ireland parties had agreed on a welfare reform deal in December but Sinn Féin withdrew its support in March.