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PM leaves NI without justice deal PM leaves NI without justice deal
(10 minutes later)
The British and Irish prime ministers have left NI talks on devolving policing and justice without a deal. The British and Irish premiers have left talks on devolving policing and justice in NI without a deal.
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. The parties have been given another 48 hours to consider proposals put forward by the governments.
Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness said he was "deeply disappointed" no deal had been reached.Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness said he was "deeply disappointed" no deal had been reached.
Speaking in Hillsborough, Prime Minister Gordon Brown insisted there was a still a "prospect of a reasonable agreement" within the next two days.
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. On Wednesday, Mr Brown said he believed agreement could be reached and that the parties would have another two days to consider the proposals.
He said that if there was no agreement, then the two governments would publish their plans.He said that if there was no agreement, then the two governments would publish their plans.
The prime minister said that he believed that the devolution of policing and justice could happen at the start of May.The prime minister said that he believed that the devolution of policing and justice could happen at the start of May.
Speaking after the British and Irish 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".
ANALYSIS Mark Simpson, BBC Ireland correspondent The high-wire Northern Ireland talks have ended with a soft-landing rather than a crash. The negotiating process isn't quite over yet, but in truth there's the whiff of failure around Hillsborough Castle. The British and Irish prime ministers spent three days and two nights in Co Down but they left without the one thing they came to get - a deal. Yes, there was progress but it may not be enough to save the Stormont Assembly. There is now a new deadline for agreement - Friday morning. As always, a deal is not impossible. But the departure of the two prime ministers inevitably reduces the momentum of the talks. In the words of one source, the air has gone out of the balloon. Q&A: Breakthrough or breakdown? Mark Devenport's blogANALYSIS Mark Simpson, BBC Ireland correspondent The high-wire Northern Ireland talks have ended with a soft-landing rather than a crash. The negotiating process isn't quite over yet, but in truth there's the whiff of failure around Hillsborough Castle. The British and Irish prime ministers spent three days and two nights in Co Down but they left without the one thing they came to get - a deal. Yes, there was progress but it may not be enough to save the Stormont Assembly. There is now a new deadline for agreement - Friday morning. As always, a deal is not impossible. But the departure of the two prime ministers inevitably reduces the momentum of the talks. In the words of one source, the air has gone out of the balloon. Q&A: Breakthrough or breakdown? Mark Devenport's blog
First minister Peter Robinson said his party would not accept a "second-rate deal" to suit "someone else's time-limit". BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson said that while "a deal is not impossible the departure of the two prime ministers inevitably reduces the momentum of the talks".
"In the words of one source, the air has gone out of the balloon," he added.
Speaking after talks at Hillsborough broke up, Mr 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".
The DUP leader, Peter Robinson, said his party would not accept a "second-rate deal" to suit "someone else's time-limit".
He added: "We are not prepared to buy a pig in a poke. We will do what is right for our community."He added: "We are not prepared to buy a pig in a poke. We will do what is right for our community."
Division The Irish prime minister, Brian Cowen, said it was "unfortunate that the discussions had not been completed".
The Irish prime minister Brian Cowen said it was "unfortunate that the discussions had not been completed". Secretary of State Shaun Woodward and Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin are expected to hold a talks session with all the parties involved later.
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.
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.
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