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Sixth day of NI talks under way Sixth day of NI talks continuing
(30 minutes later)
Talks aimed at resolving the NI devolution impasse are under way at Hillsborough Castle. Talks aimed at resolving the NI devolution impasse are under way at Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast.
DUP leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness returned to Hillsborough on Saturday afternoon. DUP leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness returned to Hillsborough on Saturday.
The mood surrounding the discussions was described as "improving". On Saturday evening, the DUP's Edwin Poots said there had been "considerable advancement".
Sinn Fein and the DUP have been arguing for months over the timing and circumstances of the transfer of policing and justice powers to Belfast.Sinn Fein and the DUP have been arguing for months over the timing and circumstances of the transfer of policing and justice powers to Belfast.
BBC NI reporter Yvette Shapiro said the gap between the two parties is believed to be getting smaller with the talks focusing on the "fine details".BBC NI reporter Yvette Shapiro said the gap between the two parties is believed to be getting smaller with the talks focusing on the "fine details".
Sinn Fein wants the powers transferred immediately, while the DUP has said that can only happen when there is "community confidence" among unionists.Sinn Fein wants the powers transferred immediately, while the DUP has said that can only happen when there is "community confidence" among unionists.
The largest unionist party said that confidence could be built through a deal on how to resolve the parading issue. However, republicans have maintained that devolution should not depend on agreement on parading.The largest unionist party said that confidence could be built through a deal on how to resolve the parading issue. However, republicans have maintained that devolution should not depend on agreement on parading.
On Wednesday, Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen said that if there was no deal within 48 hours, they would publish their own proposals.On Wednesday, Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen said that if there was no deal within 48 hours, they would publish their own proposals.
That deadline has been allowed to pass with the parties still locked in discussions.That deadline has been allowed to pass with the parties still locked in discussions.
The Irish justice minister Dermot Ahern told Irish state broadcaster RTE that the British and Irish governments were reluctant to make their plans public "as long as there is a glimmer of hope" Sinn Fein and the DUP can reach agreement.The Irish justice minister Dermot Ahern told Irish state broadcaster RTE that the British and Irish governments were reluctant to make their plans public "as long as there is a glimmer of hope" Sinn Fein and the DUP can reach agreement.
'Creating certainty'
Speaking outside Hillsborough Castle shortly before 1900 GMT on Saturday, Mr Poots said his party wanted to "conclude the business".
"We are looking to tidy some things up tonight and there is some more work to be done on Monday," he said.
ANALYSIS Mark Simpson, BBC Ireland correspondent Political parties are at Hillsborough Castle for the sixth consecutive day of talks, aimed at saving the Northern Ireland Assembly. The British and Irish prime ministers were supposed to issue their own proposals for agreement on Friday, but changed their minds after the parties wanted to keep talking. This round of talks is now the most sustained period of intensive negotiations since the peace process began, lasting six days and five nights. And it isn't over yet. On Friday night, the Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams admitted he had lost track of what day it was. Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists remain divided on a number of issues including, crucially, a new mechanism for dealing with Protestant parades which pass near Catholic areas. It's thought that agreement on that issue could unlock the negotiations. It is not clear how long today's talks will last. The governments want the parties to come to an agreement today, but the talks could drift into next week.ANALYSIS Mark Simpson, BBC Ireland correspondent Political parties are at Hillsborough Castle for the sixth consecutive day of talks, aimed at saving the Northern Ireland Assembly. The British and Irish prime ministers were supposed to issue their own proposals for agreement on Friday, but changed their minds after the parties wanted to keep talking. This round of talks is now the most sustained period of intensive negotiations since the peace process began, lasting six days and five nights. And it isn't over yet. On Friday night, the Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams admitted he had lost track of what day it was. Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists remain divided on a number of issues including, crucially, a new mechanism for dealing with Protestant parades which pass near Catholic areas. It's thought that agreement on that issue could unlock the negotiations. It is not clear how long today's talks will last. The governments want the parties to come to an agreement today, but the talks could drift into next week.
He said it was "far more preferable" if the parties could reach agreement on the issues themselves. He said he believed both sides want a deal. "We have been working towards creating certainty and clarity about the issues.
On Saturday, DUP MP Gregory Campbell, who is seen as one of his party's hardliners, described the prime ministers' proposals as "unacceptable". "It's more important about getting the right deal, as opposed to a hurried deal."
He said that the plan involved devolving policing and justice powers in May and then attempting to resolving the parading issue later in the year. The talks continued into their sixth day, the longest period of sustained negotiations since the peace process began in the 1990s.
He added: "Things have moved away from that, but they need to move a long way in order to get us into the arena of the final endgame."
The talks are entering their sixth day, the longest period of sustained negotiations since the peace process began in the 1990s.
It is understood a number of DUP politicians were in favour of taking a break until Monday.It is understood a number of DUP politicians were in favour of taking a break until Monday.
Business
Speaking on Friday evening, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said all sides were continuing to work hard towards a durable deal.Speaking on Friday evening, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said all sides were continuing to work hard towards a durable deal.
The DUP said it was prepared "to do business" and talk as long as parties were "willing to talk" to them. His party colleague Conor Murphy said his party had to "assess" the situation.
On Friday afternoon, DUP leader Peter Robinson said he was "not interested in deadlines".
"If the deal isn't right it won't be done," he said.
"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."
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.
"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."
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.