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| DUP backs deal with Sinn Fein | DUP backs deal with Sinn Fein |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The DUP has said it has agreed a deal with Sinn Fein over the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Northern Ireland. | The DUP has said it has agreed a deal with Sinn Fein over the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Northern Ireland. |
| Party leader Peter Robinson said just before midnight that the decision to back the deal had been "unanimous" among the party's 35 assembly members. | Party leader Peter Robinson said just before midnight that the decision to back the deal had been "unanimous" among the party's 35 assembly members. |
| PM Gordon Brown is expected to go to Northern Ireland later, along with his Irish counterpart, Brian Cowen. | PM Gordon Brown is expected to go to Northern Ireland later, along with his Irish counterpart, Brian Cowen. |
| A plenary session of the assembly to discuss the deal begins at 0830 GMT. | A plenary session of the assembly to discuss the deal begins at 0830 GMT. |
| "We have had a very constructive meeting of our assembly group and I had the opportunity to put to them proposals which we have been working on," said Mr Robinson. | "We have had a very constructive meeting of our assembly group and I had the opportunity to put to them proposals which we have been working on," said Mr Robinson. |
| ANALYSIS Mark Simpson, BBC Ireland correspondent | ANALYSIS Mark Simpson, BBC Ireland correspondent |
| The fact that it took more than 130 hours of negotiations to secure the latest deal between Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists shows just how fragile the political process is in Northern Ireland. | The fact that it took more than 130 hours of negotiations to secure the latest deal between Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists shows just how fragile the political process is in Northern Ireland. |
| And in spite of the ground-breaking agreement just before midnight at Parliament Buildings, there is still a risk that the deal will unravel in the coming weeks. | And in spite of the ground-breaking agreement just before midnight at Parliament Buildings, there is still a risk that the deal will unravel in the coming weeks. |
| However, it is clear that all the parties like being in power at Stormont and do not want to lose it - that is the glue holding the Assembly together. | However, it is clear that all the parties like being in power at Stormont and do not want to lose it - that is the glue holding the Assembly together. |
| The ability of the DUP leader Peter Robinson to convince sceptics in his party that a deal with Sinn Fein is better than life without the Assembly proved that point. | The ability of the DUP leader Peter Robinson to convince sceptics in his party that a deal with Sinn Fein is better than life without the Assembly proved that point. |
| His success in winning the argument will strengthen his leadership, and increase the chances of the late-night deal sticking. | His success in winning the argument will strengthen his leadership, and increase the chances of the late-night deal sticking. |
| Mind you, it is hard to believe that there won't be a few more sleepless nights ahead. | Mind you, it is hard to believe that there won't be a few more sleepless nights ahead. |
| "Everyone present believes that this is consistent with our election manifesto and pledges we have made to the people. | "Everyone present believes that this is consistent with our election manifesto and pledges we have made to the people. |
| "We look forward to going to Hillsborough and the document should be published." | "We look forward to going to Hillsborough and the document should be published." |
| The deal is believed to include new arrangements on the oversight of loyalist parades. | The deal is believed to include new arrangements on the oversight of loyalist parades. |
| Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams welcomed the DUP's decision. | Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams welcomed the DUP's decision. |
| Commending his own party's negotiating team, he added: "I believe that the Assembly and political institutions can now proceed on the basis of equality, fairness and partnership. | Commending his own party's negotiating team, he added: "I believe that the Assembly and political institutions can now proceed on the basis of equality, fairness and partnership. |
| "They also have to deliver for all citizens, that is the collective responsibility of all the political parties." | "They also have to deliver for all citizens, that is the collective responsibility of all the political parties." |
| On Thursday night Mr Robinson said there was a basis for a deal which he could recommend to his party and to the community. | On Thursday night Mr Robinson said there was a basis for a deal which he could recommend to his party and to the community. |
| DUP assembly members gathered at Stormont at about 2200 GMT. | DUP assembly members gathered at Stormont at about 2200 GMT. |
| "An essential element of the Democratic Unionist manifesto is the requirement for community confidence and we believe that this can be the basis of gaining that confidence," Mr Robinson said. | "An essential element of the Democratic Unionist manifesto is the requirement for community confidence and we believe that this can be the basis of gaining that confidence," Mr Robinson said. |
| "It does more than dealing with devolving further powers. It deals with how we deal with the powers that we have." | "It does more than dealing with devolving further powers. It deals with how we deal with the powers that we have." |
| The DUP decision has been welcomed by Alliance Party leader David Ford, who is widely tipped to be the new justice minister. | The DUP decision has been welcomed by Alliance Party leader David Ford, who is widely tipped to be the new justice minister. |
| He said: "This is what the people of Northern Ireland have waited so long to hear and it means that the Executive can get back to the real work of providing quality services and strengthening our economy. | He said: "This is what the people of Northern Ireland have waited so long to hear and it means that the Executive can get back to the real work of providing quality services and strengthening our economy. |
| "We may face a few challenges in the coming months as regards the justice devolution process, but I am very hopeful that this will signal a new, more positive era for Northern Ireland." | "We may face a few challenges in the coming months as regards the justice devolution process, but I am very hopeful that this will signal a new, more positive era for Northern Ireland." |
| SDLP leader Mark Durkan said he always thought a deal would be "scrambled over the line". | |
| "What we need to see now when we see the deal this morning is does it answer all of the questions and all of the issues," he said. | |
| "We will have to take our turn with other parties in proofing what is proposed, not trying to create problems, but pre-empting any possible shortcomings or problems there are with it so we can actually improve it." | |
| Snowmen | Snowmen |
| However, Traditional Unionist Voice, which opposes mandatory coalition with Sinn Fein, described the DUP as "snowmen who had melted". | |
| Its leader Jim Allister said: "The DUP MLAs who buckled tonight not only let themselves down, but, more importantly, let their country down." | Its leader Jim Allister said: "The DUP MLAs who buckled tonight not only let themselves down, but, more importantly, let their country down." |
| Referring to the fact that 14 DUP assembly members reportedly voted against a deal on the table on Monday, he added: "The deal the DUP so meekly accepted tonight is the same deal they rejected. | Referring to the fact that 14 DUP assembly members reportedly voted against a deal on the table on Monday, he added: "The deal the DUP so meekly accepted tonight is the same deal they rejected. |
| "The deal hasn't changed, only the snowmen of the DUP who melted once the heat came on." | "The deal hasn't changed, only the snowmen of the DUP who melted once the heat came on." |
| Earlier on Thursday it emerged that policing and justice powers could be transferred to Northern Ireland in April if the DUP and Sinn Fein were able to reach a deal. | Earlier on Thursday it emerged that policing and justice powers could be transferred to Northern Ireland in April if the DUP and Sinn Fein were able to reach a deal. |
| Talks between the British and Irish governments, Sinn Fein and the DUP have been going on for the last 10 days. | Talks between the British and Irish governments, Sinn Fein and the DUP have been going on for the last 10 days. |
| The relationship between Sinn Fein and the DUP - Northern Ireland's two biggest political parties - has been strained for some time because they disagreed about the timetable for the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont. | The relationship between Sinn Fein and the DUP - Northern Ireland's two biggest political parties - has been strained for some time because they disagreed about the timetable for the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont. |