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Sixth day of NI talks continuing 'Progress' being made at NI talks
(10 minutes later)
Talks aimed at resolving the NI devolution impasse are continuing at Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast. "Progress has been made" at the talks to resolve the NI devolution impasse at Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast, Sinn Fein have said.
Teams from the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein returned to Hillsborough on Saturday to talk to each other, and the two governments. Teams from the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein returned to Hillsborough on Saturday for a sixth days of negotiations.
On Saturday evening, the DUP's Edwin Poots said there had been "considerable advancement", Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy said "progress has been made". On Saturday evening, the DUP's Edwin Poots said there had been "considerable advancement".
The talks began on Monday when the British and Irish PMs went to Belfast.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 was 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.
"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.An hour later, a Sinn Fein delegation came out to speak to the media.
Conor Murphy said they remained "optimistic".Conor Murphy said they remained "optimistic".
"Negotiations are coming to that final phase," he said."Negotiations are coming to that final phase," he said.
"We intend to bring them to a swift conclusion."We intend to bring them to a swift conclusion.
"We have made progress and we are hopeful we can finish this fairly quickly.""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.
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.