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Sixth day of NI talks continuing Sixth day of NI talks continuing
(40 minutes later)
Talks aimed at resolving the NI devolution impasse are under way at Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast. Talks aimed at resolving the NI devolution impasse are continuing at Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast.
DUP leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness returned to Hillsborough on Saturday. Teams from the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein returned to Hillsborough on Saturday to talk to each other, and the two governments.
On Saturday evening, the DUP's Edwin Poots said there had been "considerable advancement". On Saturday evening, the DUP's Edwin Poots said there had been "considerable advancement", Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy said "progress has been made".
The talks began on Monday when the British and Irish PMs went 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.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 was 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''Creating certainty'
Speaking outside Hillsborough Castle shortly before 1900 GMT on Saturday, Mr Poots said his party wanted to "conclude the business".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."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.
"We have been working towards creating certainty and clarity about the issues."We have been working towards creating certainty and clarity about the issues.
"It's more important about getting the right deal, as opposed to a hurried deal.""It's more important about getting the right deal, as opposed to a hurried deal."
An hour later, a Sinn Fein delegation came out to speak to the media.
Conor Murphy said they remained "optimistic".
"Negotiations are coming to that final phase," he said.
"We intend to bring them to a swift conclusion.
"We have made progress and we are hopeful we can finish this fairly quickly."
The talks continued into their sixth day, the longest period of sustained negotiations since the peace process began in the 1990s.The talks continued into 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.
Speaking on Friday evening, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said all sides were continuing to work hard towards a durable deal.
His party colleague 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.
"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.