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'48 hours for talks deal' - PM | '48 hours for talks deal' - PM |
(20 minutes later) | |
The prime minister has said he believes that policing and justice powers could be devolved to NI by the start of May. | The prime minister has said he believes that policing and justice powers could be devolved to NI by the start of May. |
Gordon Brown, who is preparing to leave NI, told a news conference that there was a "prospect of a reasonable agreement" within the next two days. | Gordon Brown, who is preparing to leave NI, told a news conference that there was a "prospect of a reasonable agreement" within the next two days. |
Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness said he was "deeply disappointed" no deal had been reached. | |
The DUP and Sinn Fein have been at loggerheads over the devolution of policing and justice powers. | The DUP and Sinn Fein have been at loggerheads over the devolution of policing and justice powers. |
Gordon Brown said that he believed agreement could be reached and that the parties would have another 48 hours to consider the proposals. | Gordon Brown said that he believed agreement could be reached and that the parties would have another 48 hours to consider the proposals. |
He said that if there was no agreement, then the two governments would publish their proposals. | He said that if there was no agreement, then the two governments would publish their proposals. |
Speaking after the prime ministers' press conference Martin McGuinness said: | |
"We have not concluded a deal today and I am deeply disappointed about that. We intend to study the governments' statement." | |
He added that his party would not accept "citizens' rights" being subject to a "unionist veto" or an "Orange Order pre-condition". | |
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward and Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin are expected to hold a plenary session with all the parties involved later. | |
Sinn Fein and the DUP - 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 DUP - Northern Ireland's two biggest political parties - have been arguing for months over the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont. |
Division | Division |
Sinn Fein wants 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 wants 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 "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. |
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 & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |