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PMs' NI return visit put on hold PMs' NI return visit put on hold
(about 2 hours later)
DUP sources have told the BBC the party's assembly team is not yet ready to agree proposals to end the deadlock over justice powers for Stormont.DUP sources have told the BBC the party's assembly team is not yet ready to agree proposals to end the deadlock over justice powers for Stormont.
A meeting between DUP assembly members and other party figures is continuing.A meeting between DUP assembly members and other party figures is continuing.
Plans for a return visit by the British and Irish prime ministers are in disarray as the DUP has taken longer on a negotiated package than anticipated.Plans for a return visit by the British and Irish prime ministers are in disarray as the DUP has taken longer on a negotiated package than anticipated.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have been arguing over the timing of the transfer of justice powers to Belfast.Sinn Fein and the DUP have been arguing over the timing of the transfer of justice powers to Belfast.
Sinn Fein wants the powers transferred immediately.Sinn Fein wants the powers transferred immediately.
ANALYSIS Martina Purdy, BBC NI political correspondent
Even if the DUP assembly team says yes to the deal, there will have to be a process of consultation, possibly through the Northern Ireland Executive.
It's thought there are four aspects to the deal: devolving justice powers, the role of the justice minister, the Irish language and parading.
An Irish language strategy rather than an act is thought to be the compromise.
It's expected there will be references to a 'shared future' community relations strategy and difficulties around the functioning of the Executive.
The DUP has said that can only happen when there is "community confidence" among unionists.The DUP has said that can only happen when there is "community confidence" among unionists.
Sinn Fein's MLAs and other senior party figures, including TD Martin Ferris, met for around an hour on Monday and indications were that the party was happy enough.Sinn Fein's MLAs and other senior party figures, including TD Martin Ferris, met for around an hour on Monday and indications were that the party was happy enough.
However, DUP sources have told the BBC there are outstanding issues that need to be pinned down around justice and parading.However, DUP sources have told the BBC there are outstanding issues that need to be pinned down around justice and parading.
There had been an expectation that Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen may have come back to Hillsborough Castle to sign off on the deal and preparations were made for such a scenario. 'No sticking points'
Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly said on Monday evening that a number of issues still had to be resolved but they were confident of reaching a deal.
"There are no sticking points - we are close to conclusion," he said.
First Minister Questions at the Northern Ireland Assembly was postponed as speculation mounted that a deal on policing and justice powers was close.
There was also an expectation that Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen may have come back to Hillsborough Castle to sign off on the deal and preparations were made for such a scenario.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband let slip in the Commons that Mr Brown had postponed a visit to Northern Ireland on Monday.
Asked where Mr Brown was, Mr Miliband said: "He's in Northern Ireland actually."
He later corrected his comments after being handed a note from officials, telling MPs: "Although I had been reliably informed that the Prime Minister was on his way to Belfast, it now transpires that he is not on his to way to Belfast because the situation in the... for various reasons which I won't go into actually."
One DUP source suggested that there would be no resolution before Tuesday.One DUP source suggested that there would be no resolution before Tuesday.
Earlier on Monday, first minister questions at the Northern Ireland Assembly was postponed as speculation mounted that a deal on policing and justice powers was close. The DUP and Sinn Fein spent last week in deadlock, with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness thought to be on the verge of resigning as deputy first minister.
The DUP and Sinn Fein spent last week in deadlock, but on Sunday, Sinn Fein deputy leader McGuinness said the parties had made "considerable progress". However, Mr McGuinness said on Sunday the parties had made "considerable progress" and expressed hope there was now a basis "upon which nationalists, republicans, unionists and loyalists can move forward together".
But DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the public should be consulted on any deal. DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the public should be consulted on any deal "and then give a response that allows us to say whether we proceed or don't".
BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent Martina Purdy said consultation on a deal was likely.
Irish language
"Even if the DUP assembly team says yes to the deal, there will have to be a process of consultation, possibly through the executive," she said.
"It's thought there are four aspects to the deal: devolving justice powers, the role of the justice minister, the Irish language and parading.
"An Irish language strategy rather than an act is thought to be the compromise. It's expected there will be references to shared future and difficulties around executive functioning."
Just days ago Mr McGuinness was thought to be on the brink of resigning, but on Sunday he expressed the hope that there was now a basis "upon which nationalists, republicans, unionists and loyalists can move forward together".
DUP negotiators also said considerable progress has been made.
After six days and five nights of talks, negotiators spent Sunday recharging their batteries.
'Novel idea'
But Mr Campbell said on Sunday night his party intended to consult the public on any agreement.
"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.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said if Mr Campbell was suggesting consulting the whole community, then his approach was "novel".
"I think it would be really cool for the people of Garvaghy Road to have Gregory coming down to ask them how he should proceed," he said.
"It would even be a very novel idea for people from working class unionist areas. But the main thing is to get the agreement. We are not there yet. Some significant work has been done and we are meeting very soon to finish off, I hope, the remaining points."
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.