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'Progress' being made at NI talks Talks progress made - McGuinness
(about 2 hours later)
Talks aimed at resolving the impasse over devolution in Northern Ireland have made "considerable progress", the UK government has said. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said the talks aimed at breaking the impasse over policing and justice have made "considerable progress".
But NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said there was still "work to be done" as the talks drew to a close on Saturday. He said that the talks were close to an agreement which would give participants "a basis to move forward".
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 Martin Institutions which don't deliver are worthless Martin McGuinnessDeputy First Minister
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. The parties took a break on Saturday evening with the Secretary of State Shaun Woodward indicating that "considerable progress" had been made. He added that there was "more work to be done".
"We have made, across what has now been six days, very long days, I think considerable progress," he said. His sentiments were echoed by the deputy first minister who was speaking during the annual Bloody Sunday commemoration in Londonderry.
"There remains more work to be done." He said that failure was not a "realistic or viable path".
Speaking on Sunday, Mr O'Dowd said his party's position had come about because "politics was not working". He added: "Institutions which don't deliver are worthless and something I will not be involved in.
He added: "I am glad to say that politics is slowly grinding forward. "I now hope we have a basis upon which nationalists, republicans, unionists and loyalists will move forward together on the basis of partnership and equality."
Momentum
Mr McGuinness' party colleague John O'Dowd said his party's position had come about because "politics was not working". However he implied that a deal may now be imminent.
"I am glad to say that politics is slowly grinding forward," he said.
"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.""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."
Mr Wilson said that "when a deal is finalised the public will get a chance to debate it." DUP Assembly member Sammy Wilson agreed that the talks had taken a step forward and said that "when a deal is finalised the public will get a chance to debate it."
Talks have been ongoing at Hillsborough Castle since Monday
'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.
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.
"The quality of the engagement by all of the parties has been the key determining factor this week."
SDLP Assembly member Alex Attwood said: "Our sense is that those negotiations continue to move forward steadily and in a positive fashion."