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'Progress' being made at NI talks 'Progress' being made at NI talks
(about 7 hours later)
Talks aimed at resolving the impasse over devolution in Northern Ireland have made "considerable progress", the UK government has said.Talks aimed at resolving the impasse over devolution in Northern Ireland have made "considerable progress", the UK government has said.
But NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said there was still "work to be done" as the talks drew to a close on Saturday.But NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said there was still "work to be done" as the talks drew to a close on Saturday.
The DUP's Edwin Poots said there had been "considerable advancement", while Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy said his party remained "optimistic". The DUP's Sammy Wilson has said "good progress" had been made, while Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd indicated a deal may be imminent.
The talks at Hillsborough Castle, outside Belfast, will resume on Monday.The talks at Hillsborough Castle, outside Belfast, will resume on Monday.
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.
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.
'Getting somewhere''Getting somewhere'
The talks began on Monday when the British and Irish PMs travelled to Belfast.The talks began on Monday when the British and Irish PMs travelled to Belfast.
Very experienced people have said to me deadlines have often been set with a purpose of being passed Irish Foreign Minister Micheal MartinVery experienced people have said to me deadlines have often been set with a purpose of being passed Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin
Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen chaired talks between Northern Ireland's political parties for three days.Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen chaired talks between Northern Ireland's political parties for three days.
On Wednesday, they said that if there was no deal within 48 hours, they would publish their own proposals, but that deadline was allowed to pass with the parties still locked in discussions.On Wednesday, they said that if there was no deal within 48 hours, they would publish their own proposals, but that deadline was allowed to pass with the parties still locked in discussions.
At about 2000 GMT on Saturday, the parties emerged from Hillsborough and Mr Woodward said all involved needed some time off.At about 2000 GMT on Saturday, the parties emerged from Hillsborough and Mr Woodward said all involved needed some time off.
"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."
For Sinn Fein, Mr Murphy, was also upbeat: "We are maybe getting somewhere now. Speaking on Sunday, Mr O'Dowd said his party's position had come about because "politics was not working".
"We have progress made, we are hopeful that we can finish this fairly quickly. We are getting towards the point now where negotiations will end." He added: "I am glad to say that politics is slowly grinding forward.
Speaking an hour earlier, Mr Poots said his party also wanted to "conclude the business". "It hasn't reached the momentum where it's going to move forward quickly, but if it's tomorrow or the day after, I think that is a good thing for us all."
"We are looking to tidy some things up tonight and there is some more work to be done on Monday," he said. Mr Wilson said that "when a deal is finalised the public will get a chance to debate it."
"We have been working towards creating certainty and clarity about the issues.
Talks have been ongoing at Hillsborough Castle since MondayTalks have been ongoing at Hillsborough Castle since Monday
"It's more important about getting the right deal, as opposed to a hurried deal."
'Not concerned''Not concerned'
The talks represent the longest period of sustained negotiations since the peace process began in the 1990s.The talks represent the longest period of sustained negotiations since the peace process began in the 1990s.
The negotiations are being led by Mr Woodward and Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin after the premiers left Northern Ireland on Wednesday.The negotiations are being led by Mr Woodward and Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin after the premiers left Northern Ireland on Wednesday.
Mr Martin said he was not concerned that the deadline for a settlement had been missed.Mr Martin said he was not concerned that the deadline for a settlement had been missed.
"Very experienced people have said to me deadlines have often been set with a purpose of being passed," he said."Very experienced people have said to me deadlines have often been set with a purpose of being passed," he said.
"The quality of the engagement by all of the parties has been the key determining factor this week.""The quality of the engagement by all of the parties has been the key determining factor this week."
Nationalist SDLP Assembly member Alex Attwood said: "Our sense is that those negotiations continue to move forward steadily and in a positive fashion." SDLP Assembly member Alex Attwood said: "Our sense is that those negotiations continue to move forward steadily and in a positive fashion."