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Critical day looms for NI process Major day looming for NI process
(about 3 hours later)
Friday will be a critical day in the Northern Ireland political process, the British and Irish governments have said. Friday will be an important day for the Northern Ireland political process, the British and Irish governments have said.
The government wants the DUP and Sinn Fein to indicate their choices for the posts of first and deputy first ministers.The government wants the DUP and Sinn Fein to indicate their choices for the posts of first and deputy first ministers.
Negotiations have been continuing about exactly what will take place in the Stormont assembly. Secretary of State Peter Hain said it was now or never for the politicians. Negotiations have been continuing about exactly what will take place in the Stormont assembly.
Secretary of State Peter Hain said it was now or never for the politicians.
"Basically Belfast is the capital of procrastination," he said."Basically Belfast is the capital of procrastination," he said.
"The politicians have not been doing their jobs now for over four years if we hadn't brought things to a head that could have continued on for who knows how long - politicians being paid without ever carrying out their functions - and the Northern Ireland public demanded a different approach."The politicians have not been doing their jobs now for over four years if we hadn't brought things to a head that could have continued on for who knows how long - politicians being paid without ever carrying out their functions - and the Northern Ireland public demanded a different approach.
"Yes, I've taken some tough decisions but that's what you do this job for.""Yes, I've taken some tough decisions but that's what you do this job for."
Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern warned if the parties refused to play ball the governments would reluctantly implement their Plan B for governing the province.Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern warned if the parties refused to play ball the governments would reluctantly implement their Plan B for governing the province.
"It is the case that if we fall at any hurdle, then we will go to Plan B, butit is not the preferred option of the Irish government or the Britishgovernment," he warned in the Irish Parliament. "It is the case that if we fall at any hurdle, then we will go to Plan B, but it is not the preferred option of the Irish government or the British government," he warned in the Irish Parliament.
"We want to see devolved government restored to Northern Ireland and webelieve leadership is needed from the DUP and Sinn Fein to achieve this." "We want to see devolved government restored to Northern Ireland and we believe leadership is needed from the DUP and Sinn Fein to achieve this."
Gerry Adams issued warning to DUPGerry Adams issued warning to DUP
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has said if the DUP do not nominate devolution should be shelved by the governments.Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has said if the DUP do not nominate devolution should be shelved by the governments.
"At the very, very minimum, at the very least, there has to be the nomination of the first and deputy first ministers," Mr Adams said."At the very, very minimum, at the very least, there has to be the nomination of the first and deputy first ministers," Mr Adams said.
"If there are not nominations tomorrow, then sin e (that's it). That's our very, very strong view.""If there are not nominations tomorrow, then sin e (that's it). That's our very, very strong view."
The Sinn Fein leader said if the DUP did not indicate its choice for first minister, "the governments need to move smartly into the partnership arrangements which they signalled up in Scotland".The Sinn Fein leader said if the DUP did not indicate its choice for first minister, "the governments need to move smartly into the partnership arrangements which they signalled up in Scotland".
The St Andrews Agreement unveiled by the governments after intensive talks in Scotland called for the DUP and Sinn Fein to nominate their choices for first and deputy first minister in a new Stromont assembly by 24 November.The St Andrews Agreement unveiled by the governments after intensive talks in Scotland called for the DUP and Sinn Fein to nominate their choices for first and deputy first minister in a new Stromont assembly by 24 November.
The DUP choice for first minister is expected to be Ian Paisley, while Sinn Fein is expected to nominate Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister.The DUP choice for first minister is expected to be Ian Paisley, while Sinn Fein is expected to nominate Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister.
However, the DUP has said it will not "jump first" before Sinn Fein changes its policing policy.However, the DUP has said it will not "jump first" before Sinn Fein changes its policing policy.
As a result the government has watered down its demand asking the parties just to indicate who their nominees will be if the executive is brought back in the spring.As a result the government has watered down its demand asking the parties just to indicate who their nominees will be if the executive is brought back in the spring.
The DUP remains reluctant - seeking assurances that there will be no trappings of office.The DUP remains reluctant - seeking assurances that there will be no trappings of office.