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NI parties 'near to justice deal' DUP 'not yet ready to seal deal'
(about 1 hour later)
First minister questions at the NI Assembly has been postponed as speculation mounts that a deal on policing and justice powers is close. 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.
It is understood Acting First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness had asked for it to be delayed. The DUP assembly members and other party figures began meeting at 11am on Monday, a meeting which is continuing.
BBC sources have also said Irish prime minister Brian Cowen has cleared his schedule in case a deal is announced. Sinn Fein and the DUP have been arguing for months over the timing and circumstances of the transfer of justice powers to Belfast.
The DUP and SF are briefing their MLAs on proposals to break the deadlock. Sinn Fein wants the powers transferred immediately.
Both parties spent last week in deadlock, but on Sunday, Mr McGuinness said the parties had made "considerable progress". The DUP has said that can only happen when there is "community confidence" among unionists.
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, but on Sunday, Sinn Fein deputy leader McGuinness said the parties had made "considerable progress".
But DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the public should be consulted on any deal.But DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the public should be consulted on any deal.
Talks aimed at saving the power-sharing executive will resume later at Hillsborough Castle with both sides in optimistic mood.
BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent Martina Purdy said consultation on a deal was likely.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."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."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.""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".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 say considerable progress has been made. DUP negotiators also said considerable progress has been made.
ANALYSIS Chris Buckler, BBC News correspondent We have got extra security outside Hillsborough Castle, although on Friday we were also talking about heightened security amid increased speculation of the prime ministers returning so that's no guarantee of anything.
There has been a 24-hour break for the negotiators to gather their thoughts before these marathon talks resume.
Mood music has been talked about an awful lot and I'm not sure whether this particular song is one of heartbreak or making up.
Over the weekend the sounds were more optimistic, but now we have this caveat from Gregory Campbell of the DUP that even if we do get a deal they will want to talk to the unionist community to gauge confidence.
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.
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.
After six days and five nights of talks, negotiators spent Sunday recharging their batteries.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.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."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".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."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.""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."
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. Gordon Brown and the Irish prime minister may return to Northern Ireland if a deal is finalised.
Gordon Brown and the Irish prime minister 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.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.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.