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Justice transfer talks continue Justice transfer talks continue
(about 2 hours later)
Talks are continuing at Hillsborough Castle in a bid to break the deadlock over the devolution of justice powers.Talks are continuing at Hillsborough Castle in a bid to break the deadlock over the devolution of justice powers.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said that while there still was no an agreement yet, parties were continuing to work hard towards a sustainable deal.Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said that while there still was no an agreement yet, parties were continuing to work hard towards a sustainable deal.
The DUP said it was prepared "to do business" and talk as long as parties are "willing to talk" to them.The DUP said it was prepared "to do business" and talk as long as parties are "willing to talk" to them.
The talks were called to resolve the impasse over the devolution of policing and justice powers to the NI Assembly.The talks were called to resolve the impasse over the devolution of policing and justice powers to the NI Assembly.
Sinn Fein has blamed DUP demands on parading for a delay in reaching a deal on devolution of policing and justice.Sinn Fein has blamed DUP demands on parading for a delay in reaching a deal on devolution of policing and justice.
Although the DUP leader Peter Robinson said a deal was possible if conditions were right, there has been speculation that an agreement is unlikely on Friday.Although the DUP leader Peter Robinson said a deal was possible if conditions were right, there has been speculation that an agreement is unlikely on Friday.
Sinn Fein has said it has been "remarkably patient" and was trying "to get things working properly".Sinn Fein has said it has been "remarkably patient" and was trying "to get things working properly".
There had been speculation that the British and Irish premiers would return to NI on Friday, but Downing Street sources say that is now "less likely".
ANALYSIS Mark Simpson, BBC Ireland correspondent The latest Northern Ireland political negotiations are now the longest sustained period of talks since the peace process began. In the past 15 years, the parties have had plenty of long days and late nights - but never as many in one week as at Hillsborough Castle in recent days. The discussions began on Monday afternoon and by mid-evening on Friday they were still dragging on. One night, they finished at 0400 GMT; another night at 0530 GMT. Even in the week before the ground-breaking Good Friday Agreement in 1998, there were not quite as many near-dawn talk sessions. More sleep was also had at the other 'hot house' venues over the years - from Leeds Castle in Kent, to Downing Street, to Stormont's Castle Buildings, to St Andrews in Scotland, to Weston Park in the Shropshire countryside. Hillsborough Castle has beaten them all when it comes to sleepless nights. The negotiations to save the Stormont Assembly are not just a test of the peace process - they are fast becoming an endurance test.ANALYSIS Mark Simpson, BBC Ireland correspondent The latest Northern Ireland political negotiations are now the longest sustained period of talks since the peace process began. In the past 15 years, the parties have had plenty of long days and late nights - but never as many in one week as at Hillsborough Castle in recent days. The discussions began on Monday afternoon and by mid-evening on Friday they were still dragging on. One night, they finished at 0400 GMT; another night at 0530 GMT. Even in the week before the ground-breaking Good Friday Agreement in 1998, there were not quite as many near-dawn talk sessions. More sleep was also had at the other 'hot house' venues over the years - from Leeds Castle in Kent, to Downing Street, to Stormont's Castle Buildings, to St Andrews in Scotland, to Weston Park in the Shropshire countryside. Hillsborough Castle has beaten them all when it comes to sleepless nights. The negotiations to save the Stormont Assembly are not just a test of the peace process - they are fast becoming an endurance test.
It was thought Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen would return, but only if the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein were close to finalising a deal on devolving policing and justice.
Northern Ireland's political parties have been locked in talks at Hillsborough Castle, outside Belfast, since Monday.Northern Ireland's political parties have been locked in talks at Hillsborough Castle, outside Belfast, since Monday.
On Wednesday, the two prime ministers gave Northern Ireland's political parties until Friday afternoon to reach a deal over justice powers before the two governments publish their own proposals.On Wednesday, the two prime ministers gave Northern Ireland's political parties until Friday afternoon to reach a deal over justice powers before the two governments publish their own proposals.
Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, Mr Robinson said he was "not interested in deadlines".Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, Mr Robinson said he was "not interested in deadlines".
"If the deal isn't right it won't be done," he said."If the deal isn't right it won't be done," he said.
"We are not afraid of the devolution of policing and justice."We are not afraid of the devolution of policing and justice.
"But, until I have a package that looks right, I'll not be going to my party colleagues to ask for support.""But, until I have a package that looks right, I'll not be going to my party colleagues to ask for support."
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster on Friday evening, Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy said his party had to "assess" the situation.Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster on Friday evening, Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy said his party had to "assess" the situation.
"We do have to come to a stage where, if it isn't working properly, we have a responsibility to be honest with people and say the basis on which we went into these institutions, the basis on which we agreed with the DUP and the two governments that they would work, is not working," he said."We do have to come to a stage where, if it isn't working properly, we have a responsibility to be honest with people and say the basis on which we went into these institutions, the basis on which we agreed with the DUP and the two governments that they would work, is not working," he said.
"We're busy talking to the two governments, to the DUP."We're busy talking to the two governments, to the DUP.
"Our preference would be to get an agreement so we can move on from here. But if that's not available we would have to assess where we go from there.""Our preference would be to get an agreement so we can move on from here. But if that's not available we would have to assess where we go from there."
DeadlockDeadlock
Talks continued until 0500 GMT at Hillsborough and resumed mid-morning.Talks continued until 0500 GMT at Hillsborough and resumed mid-morning.
Deadlock remains over the timing of the power transfer and the handling of parades.Deadlock remains over the timing of the power transfer and the handling of parades.
Mr Robinson spoke outside Hillsborough Castle on Friday afternoonMr Robinson spoke outside Hillsborough Castle on Friday afternoon
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that the parties were on the threshold of either completed devolution or a "complete mess".SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that the parties were on the threshold of either completed devolution or a "complete mess".
"We have had the outbursts here all week, but what we need are the outcomes and that's what we want to get today," he said."We have had the outbursts here all week, but what we need are the outcomes and that's what we want to get today," he said.
The negotiations are being led by Secretary of State Shaun Woodward and Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin after the premiers left Northern Ireland on Wednesday without a deal.The negotiations are being led by Secretary of State Shaun Woodward and Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin after the premiers left Northern Ireland on Wednesday without a deal.