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NI policing talks set to resume Politicians 'on brink of NI deal'
(about 5 hours later)
Talks aimed at saving the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland resume on Monday with both sides optimistic. There is intense speculation that the DUP and Sinn Fein are close to signing a deal on the transfer of policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have spent the last week deadlocked over transferring policing and judicial powers from Westminster to the Stormont Assembly. The parties spent last week in deadlock over transferring powers from Westminster to the Stormont Assembly.
Talks made progress although Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward warned there was still "work to be done". On Sunday, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the parties had made "considerable progress".
Meanwhile, DUP MP Gregory Campbell has said the public would need to be consulted before a deal was ratified. But DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the public should be consulted on any agreement.
Parties locked Talks aimed at saving the power-sharing government will resume later at Hillsborough Castle with both sides in optimistic mood.
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 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.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.However, republicans have maintained that devolution should not depend on agreement on parading.
The British and Irish prime ministers chaired talks between Northern Ireland's political parties for three days. Resignation fears
On Wednesday, Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen 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. After six days and five nights of talks, negotiators spent Sunday recharging their batteries.
'Bones of deal' Just days ago, Mr McGuinness was thought to be on the brink of resignation.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the talks, being held at Hillsborough Castle, outside Belfast, had made "considerable progress". But on Sunday, he expressed hope that there was now a basis on which nationalists and republicans, unionists and loyalists could move forward together.
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". DUP negotiators also said considerable progress had been made. But Mr Campbell said on Sunday evening that his party intended to consult the public on any agreement.
Party colleague Mr Campbell, when asked whether he was talking about a referendum, said: "We have not looked at every possible avenue of consulting people but there are a number of ways. "People need to be consulted, they need to see the bones of the deal and the detail of it, and then give a response that allows us to say whether we proceed or don't," he said.
"People need to be consulted, they need to see the bones of the deal and the detail of it, and then give a response that allows us to say whether we proceed or don't." Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward flew back to Belfast late on Sunday evening after briefing the prime minister in London on the detail of the inter-party discussions.
Mr Brown and the Irish prime minister Brian Cowen may return to Northern Ireland later on Monday, if a deal is finalised.
The British and Irish prime ministers chaired talks between Northern Ireland's political parties for three days last week.
On Wednesday, Mr Brown and Mr Cowen 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.
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.