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All-party NI meeting 'positive' All-party NI meeting 'positive'
(10 minutes later)
An all-party session of talks aimed at averting the collapse of Northern Ireland's government over policing has been described as "positive".An all-party session of talks aimed at averting the collapse of Northern Ireland's government over policing has been described as "positive".
Sinn Fein and the DUP have been at loggerheads over devolving policing and justice and it has caused a crisis.Sinn Fein and the DUP have been at loggerheads over devolving policing and justice and it has caused a crisis.
The British and Irish prime ministers, Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen, chaired the meeting and have started more talks with representatives of the parties.The British and Irish prime ministers, Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen, chaired the meeting and have started more talks with representatives of the parties.
NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said there was a "willingness to make progress".NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said there was a "willingness to make progress".
BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson said there had been a very significant mood-change. Mr Woodward said that all the Northern Ireland party leaders had been able to contribute their views at the plenary session.
"That doesn't mean there's going to be a deal, and there's still a long way to go," he said. ANALYSIS BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson
"However, the British and Irish ministers are talking this up, they're talking about the chance of real progress. There has been a very significant mood-change.
"And the two prime ministers are still here - they're very busy men but they're still in Northern Ireland because they believe a deal is possible. That doesn't mean there's going to be a deal, and there's still a long way to go.
"Quite enlightening pictures have also emerged from the round-table talks of Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness laughing and joking." However, the British and Irish ministers are talking this up, they're talking about the chance of real progress.
And the two prime ministers are still here - they're very busy men but they're still in Northern Ireland because they believe a deal is possible.
Quite enlightening pictures have also emerged from the round-table talks of Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness laughing and joking. 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.
"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."
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."
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.
Shaun Woodward said talks would continue for as long as necessary.Shaun Woodward said talks would continue for as long as necessary.
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.
ANALYSIS Mark Devenport, BBC NI political editor
We understand various ideas are being exchanged between the parties.
The bare bones of the package appear to be a date for the devolution of policing and justice, probably early May and certainly before the general election - this would obviously meet a key Sinn Fein demand.
The DUP still have concerns about the precise status of any future ministry of justice, as well as parades.
We are hearing about new architecture for dealing with contentious parades - some politicians have been shown by the prime minister a document talking about an adjudication panel with more of an emphasis on local mediation than before.
However, we don't know if this would be a replacement for the Parades Commission or whether it would sit alongside existing arrangements. Q&A: Breakthrough or breakdown? Mark Devenport's blog
Speaking before Tuesday's talks, DUP leader Peter Robinson said his party would not be pushed into a deal.Speaking before Tuesday's talks, DUP leader Peter Robinson said his party would not be pushed into a deal.
However, he added that his party were there for the "long haul".However, he added that his party were there for the "long haul".
"The issue of policing and justice has dogged us in the assembly," Mr Robinson said."The issue of policing and justice has dogged us in the assembly," Mr Robinson said.
"It has taken away the focus that we should have on other issues.""It has taken away the focus that we should have on other issues."
"As well as setting a date for the transfer of security responsibilities from London to Belfast, there is also the question of the adjudication of controversial loyal order parades in dispute with Sinn Fein.""As well as setting a date for the transfer of security responsibilities from London to Belfast, there is also the question of the adjudication of controversial loyal order parades in dispute with Sinn Fein."
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.
Sinn Fein minister Conor Murphy insisted the crisis was real, rejecting DUP claims that it had been contrived by his party.Sinn Fein minister Conor Murphy insisted the crisis was real, rejecting DUP claims that it had been contrived by his party.
Peter Robinson said that it was too early to know if a deal could be reachedPeter Robinson said that it was too early to know if a deal could be reached
Mr Murphy said: "It's not a contrived crisis. If it was contrived, I doubt that you would have the taoiseach (Irish prime minister), the British prime minister and the possibility of the Americans becoming involved."Mr Murphy said: "It's not a contrived crisis. If it was contrived, I doubt that you would have the taoiseach (Irish prime minister), the British prime minister and the possibility of the Americans becoming involved."
Mr Murphy said the US government was keeping a close watching brief and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had spoken to people involved in the discussions.Mr Murphy said the US government was keeping a close watching brief and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had spoken to people involved in the discussions.
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.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions