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'Progress' being made at NI talks | 'Progress' being made at NI talks |
(10 minutes later) | |
The talks aimed at resolving the NI devolution impasse at Hillsborough Castle, outside Belfast, have been adjourned until Monday. | The talks aimed at resolving the NI devolution impasse at Hillsborough Castle, outside Belfast, have been adjourned until Monday. |
Delegations from Sinn Fein and DUP left the talks on Saturday evening saying "progress" had been made. | Delegations from Sinn Fein and DUP left the talks on Saturday evening saying "progress" had been made. |
The DUP's Edwin Poots said there had been "considerable advancement", Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy said his party remained "optimistic". | The DUP's Edwin Poots said there had been "considerable advancement", Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy said his party remained "optimistic". |
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. |
At about 2000 GMT on Saturday, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Shaun Woodward said all involved in the negotiations needed some time off and that work would resume on Monday. | At about 2000 GMT on Saturday, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Shaun Woodward said all involved in the negotiations needed some time off and that work would resume on Monday. |
"We have made, across what has now been six days, very long days, I think considerable progress," he said. | "We have made, across what has now been six days, very long days, I think considerable progress," he said. |
"There remains more work to be done. | "There remains more work to be done. |
"I think we have clocked up something like 100 hours of talks, and it seems sensible at this point for us to allow people to go home, have a day off and to resume on Monday morning." | "I think we have clocked up something like 100 hours of talks, and it seems sensible at this point for us to allow people to go home, have a day off and to resume on Monday morning." |
'Fine details' | 'Fine details' |
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. |
Micheal Martin and Shaun Woodward said "considerable progress" has been made | Micheal Martin and Shaun Woodward said "considerable progress" has been made |
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. |
'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 were "getting somewhere". | |
"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. |
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. |