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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| 'Critical' talks over NI impasse | 'Critical' talks over NI impasse |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Earnest efforts are being made to find a way through the policing and justice impasse, the Northern Ireland deputy first minister has said. | Earnest efforts are being made to find a way through the policing and justice impasse, the Northern Ireland deputy first minister has said. |
| Martin McGuinness said critical discussions were taking place and he would not be drawn on the detail. | Martin McGuinness said critical discussions were taking place and he would not be drawn on the detail. |
| He refused to comment on speculation that the parades issue was one of the major stumbling blocks. | He refused to comment on speculation that the parades issue was one of the major stumbling blocks. |
| The British and Irish prime ministers are meeting to discuss progress on the devolution of the powers. | |
| Speaking in Londonderry on Thursday, Mr McGuinness also said he was "disgusted" at some of the media coverage of the Iris Robinson story. | Speaking in Londonderry on Thursday, Mr McGuinness also said he was "disgusted" at some of the media coverage of the Iris Robinson story. |
| He said everyone should be showing Mrs Robinson compassion given that her family had confirmed she was suffering from a mental illness. | He said everyone should be showing Mrs Robinson compassion given that her family had confirmed she was suffering from a mental illness. |
| Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams is also due to brief a meeting of his party's officer board about the state of negotiations with the DUP. | Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams is also due to brief a meeting of his party's officer board about the state of negotiations with the DUP. |
| The talks between Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen come as speculation mounts that agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein on the issue could be closer. | The talks between Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen come as speculation mounts that agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein on the issue could be closer. |
| The question of how to deal with Orange Order parades is believed to be a sticking point between the parties. | The question of how to deal with Orange Order parades is believed to be a sticking point between the parties. |
| Sinn Fein is resisting DUP efforts to replace the Parades Commission. | Sinn Fein is resisting DUP efforts to replace the Parades Commission. |
| The DUP wants an alternative way to adjudicate on contentious marches along the lines of interim proposals produced by a group headed by Lord Ashdown. | The DUP wants an alternative way to adjudicate on contentious marches along the lines of interim proposals produced by a group headed by Lord Ashdown. |
| Position | Position |
| It is thought the DUP and Sinn Fein could try to reach a compromise position or agree to resolve the issue at a future date. | It is thought the DUP and Sinn Fein could try to reach a compromise position or agree to resolve the issue at a future date. |
| Alliance Party leader David Ford held talks with the DUP on Wednesday, a meeting which he described as "positive and useful". | Alliance Party leader David Ford held talks with the DUP on Wednesday, a meeting which he described as "positive and useful". |
| However, he added there was "clearly still a lot of work to be done" before an agreement on policing and justice could be reached. | However, he added there was "clearly still a lot of work to be done" before an agreement on policing and justice could be reached. |
| Mr Ford said those members of the DUP who wanted devolution of the powers postponed for a number of months simply did not understand the reality of the situation in Northern Ireland. | Mr Ford said those members of the DUP who wanted devolution of the powers postponed for a number of months simply did not understand the reality of the situation in Northern Ireland. |
| Earlier this week, Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward urged unionists to reach a deal, saying the lack of agreement had created a "vacuum" which was being exploited by dissident republicans. | Earlier this week, Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward urged unionists to reach a deal, saying the lack of agreement had created a "vacuum" which was being exploited by dissident republicans. |
| Sinn Fein has warned in recent weeks that progress needs to be made quickly or the power-sharing government could collapse. | Sinn Fein has warned in recent weeks that progress needs to be made quickly or the power-sharing government could collapse. |
| Meanwhile, acting First Minister Arlene Foster is to meet Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey, who has warned the DUP not to do a deal under duress in the wake of the Iris Robinson affair. | Meanwhile, acting First Minister Arlene Foster is to meet Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey, who has warned the DUP not to do a deal under duress in the wake of the Iris Robinson affair. |
| Ms Foster is also due to co-chair her first executive meeting. | Ms Foster is also due to co-chair her first executive meeting. |