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NI talks continue through night NI talks continue to small hours
(39 minutes later)
Talks aimed at averting the collapse of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government have continued overnight. Talks aimed at averting the collapse of Northern Ireland's power-sharing coalition went on into the small hours.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have been at loggerheads over the devolution of policing and justice powers.Sinn Fein and the DUP have been at loggerheads over the devolution of policing and justice powers.
Gordon Brown and the Irish Prime Minister, Brian Cowen, are striving to broker a deal between the parties at Hillsborough Castle near Belfast. Gordon Brown and the Irish Prime Minister, Brian Cowen, have been trying to broker a deal between the parties.
Leaving at 0430 GMT, Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said there was "no final agreement" yet but he expected a government statement "fairly shortly".
DUP leader Peter Robinson has also left the discussions at Hillsborough Castle near Belfast.
BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson said that the "atmosphere had lightened" at the talks.BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson said that the "atmosphere had lightened" at the talks.
Mr Brown and Mr Cowen chaired the meeting and began more talks with representatives from the individual parties during the evening.Mr Brown and Mr Cowen chaired the meeting and began more talks with representatives from the individual parties during the evening.
NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said there was a "willingness to make progress".NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said there was a "willingness to make progress".
Mr Woodward said all of Northern Ireland's party leaders had been able to contribute their views at the plenary session.Mr Woodward said all of Northern Ireland's party leaders had been able to contribute their views at the plenary session.
ANALYSIS Mark Simpson, BBC Ireland correspondent There was a mid-evening mood swing at the talks aimed at saving the Stormont Assembly.ANALYSIS Mark Simpson, BBC Ireland correspondent There was a mid-evening mood swing at the talks aimed at saving the Stormont Assembly.
The sight of Sinn Fein's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness and the DUP leader Peter Robinson sharing a joke with Gordon Brown showed that the atmosphere had lightened.The sight of Sinn Fein's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness and the DUP leader Peter Robinson sharing a joke with Gordon Brown showed that the atmosphere had lightened.
It was about which football teams they supported. And, for the record, it was nothing to do with Rangers and Celtic.It was about which football teams they supported. And, for the record, it was nothing to do with Rangers and Celtic.
The three men were on first-name terms, smiling and laughing - in stark contrast to recent days. One positive photo-call does not make a deal. And all sides are stressing that no-one has agreed to anything yet.The three men were on first-name terms, smiling and laughing - in stark contrast to recent days. One positive photo-call does not make a deal. And all sides are stressing that no-one has agreed to anything yet.
However, the prime ministers wouldn't be wasting their time if they didn't think agreement was possible. It seems they have come up with a formula to break the deadlock, but the detail has still to be worked out.However, the prime ministers wouldn't be wasting their time if they didn't think agreement was possible. It seems they have come up with a formula to break the deadlock, but the detail has still to be worked out.
That will be the hard bit, as all the parties know from bitter experience. In some ways, the real negotiations are only just beginning. Q&A: Breakthrough or breakdown? Mark Devenport's blogThat will be the hard bit, as all the parties know from bitter experience. In some ways, the real negotiations are only just beginning. Q&A: Breakthrough or breakdown? Mark Devenport's blog
"The meeting lasted for about an hour-and-a-quarter. The prime minister and taoiseach are now re-engaging in talks with representatives from the parties."The meeting lasted for about an hour-and-a-quarter. The prime minister and taoiseach are now re-engaging in talks with representatives from the parties.
"There's a real spirit of cooperation, I think, a real willingness to want to make progress, to recognise just what is at stake in the talks."There's a real spirit of cooperation, I think, a real willingness to want to make progress, to recognise just what is at stake in the talks.
"I think it was a very constructive hour-and-a-quarter, there's real progress that can be made and we remain standing ready to help the parties in any way we can.""I think it was a very constructive hour-and-a-quarter, there's real progress that can be made and we remain standing ready to help the parties in any way we can."
Irish foreign minister Micheal Martin said: "It was a very constructive meeting and I think the taoiseach and prime minister are clear there is a real willingness to make progress on resolving the outstanding issues, and also to facilitate a new dynamic within the executive."Irish foreign minister Micheal Martin said: "It was a very constructive meeting and I think the taoiseach and prime minister are clear there is a real willingness to make progress on resolving the outstanding issues, and also to facilitate a new dynamic within the executive."
'Reality check''Reality check'
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: "One of the significant things this evening is that increasingly all parties are admitting devolution has not been performing in a very credible and effective way.SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: "One of the significant things this evening is that increasingly all parties are admitting devolution has not been performing in a very credible and effective way.
"Maybe that reality check is a good point for progress from here.""Maybe that reality check is a good point for progress from here."
Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey said he told the plenary session it was a "huge embarrassment" that Mr Brown and Mr Cowen had to be called to Belfast to broker a deal at a time when both of them faced "grave" matters such as the economic downturn.Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey said he told the plenary session it was a "huge embarrassment" that Mr Brown and Mr Cowen had to be called to Belfast to broker a deal at a time when both of them faced "grave" matters such as the economic downturn.
"Generally speaking, I would have to say this is not the type of all-party negotiations that I believe is necessary to deliver the level of confidence that we need, nor do I think that it addresses all the issues," he said."Generally speaking, I would have to say this is not the type of all-party negotiations that I believe is necessary to deliver the level of confidence that we need, nor do I think that it addresses all the issues," he said.
Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party - Northern Ireland's two biggest political parties - have been arguing for months over the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party - Northern Ireland's two biggest political parties - have been arguing for months over the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.
Sinn Fein want the completion of devolution to happen as soon as possible, but the DUP argues there must be unionist "community confidence" before powers are put in the hands of local politicians.Sinn Fein want the completion of devolution to happen as soon as possible, but the DUP argues there must be unionist "community confidence" before powers are put in the hands of local politicians.
The mood appeared to have brightened on Tuesday eveningThe mood appeared to have brightened on Tuesday evening
The "confidence" issue causing most division is over the handling of parades.The "confidence" issue causing most division is over the handling of parades.
The DUP wants to scrap the Parades Commission, which puts conditions on some of the most contentious marches, but Sinn Fein has accused the party of giving the Orange Order a talks veto.The DUP wants to scrap the Parades Commission, which puts conditions on some of the most contentious marches, but Sinn Fein has accused the party of giving the Orange Order a talks veto.
Talks began on Monday in an attempt to find agreement on the issue.Talks began on Monday in an attempt to find agreement on the issue.
The Sinn Fein delegation attending the talks is led by Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.The Sinn Fein delegation attending the talks is led by Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.
Mr Brown and Mr Cowen arrived in Belfast on Monday and held late-night discussions with both parties.Mr Brown and Mr Cowen arrived in Belfast on Monday and held late-night discussions with both parties.
The leaders also held private talks on Tuesday morning before meeting the parties.The leaders also held private talks on Tuesday morning before meeting the parties.
Talks between the DUP and Sinn Fein had intensified in recent weeks, before collapsing in acrimony last week.Talks between the DUP and Sinn Fein had intensified in recent weeks, before collapsing in acrimony last week.
If Sinn Fein were to decide Martin McGuinness should resign as deputy first minister, the joint nature of the roles of first and deputy first ministers would mean that DUP leader Peter Robinson would also be forced out of office, collapsing the executive.If Sinn Fein were to decide Martin McGuinness should resign as deputy first minister, the joint nature of the roles of first and deputy first ministers would mean that DUP leader Peter Robinson would also be forced out of office, collapsing the executive.


Are you in Northern Ireland? Do you think the talks will succeed? Send us your comments.Are you in Northern Ireland? Do you think the talks will succeed? Send us your comments.
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