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Hain set to respond to DUP call Hain hails DUP power sharing move
(about 2 hours later)
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain is expected to outline the government's response to the DUP's latest statement on power sharing at Stormont. Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has hailed an agreement by the DUP to commit to a firm date for entering government with Sinn Fein.
The DUP has agreed to share power with Sinn Fein in May - if the government will agree to push back its deadline on devolution by six weeks. "It's never happened before, it's of huge historic significance," he said.
The government has previously said Stormont will be dissolved if Monday's devolution deadline is not met. The DUP has agreed to share power with Sinn Fein - if the government delays its devolution deadline by six weeks.
Sinn Fein said the DUP was seeking to "frustrate the will of the electorate". Mr Hain insisted that Stormont would be dissolved if Monday's deadline was not met - but said if parties could agree an alternative, he was open to that.
NegotiationsNegotiations
On Saturday, the DUP's ruling executive overwhelmingly passed a resolution understood to offer a definite date for going into government with Sinn Fein. On Saturday, the DUP's ruling executive overwhelmingly passed a resolution understood to offer a definite date, in May, for going into government with Sinn Fein.
DUP leader Ian Paisley said the details of the resolution would be released after negotiations with the government were concluded.DUP leader Ian Paisley said the details of the resolution would be released after negotiations with the government were concluded.
The government has threatened to dissolve Stormont Ian Paisley said his party will share power, but not this week
"The Ulster people will be persuaded, they will not be driven," he told reporters after the DUP meeting."The Ulster people will be persuaded, they will not be driven," he told reporters after the DUP meeting.
The party is thought to have offered to take part in a meeting of the Programme for Government committee featuring both Mr Paisley and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.The party is thought to have offered to take part in a meeting of the Programme for Government committee featuring both Mr Paisley and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.
Earlier, Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said he thought the government may be intending to legislate for a delay to the return of full devolution. Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the DUP was seeking to "frustrate the will of the electorate".
Sir Reg said he understood an eight-week delay was under consideration.
However, Mr Hain has consistently denied there would be any emergency legislation to alter Monday's deadline.
Legislation
The 120-strong DUP executive meeting has been described by some party figures as the most important in its history.
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said commitments to dissolve Stormont in the absence of agreement must be kept.
"If the DUP wants a functioning assembly after 26 March this can only happen through direct dialogue and agreement with Sinn Fein and the other parties," he said."If the DUP wants a functioning assembly after 26 March this can only happen through direct dialogue and agreement with Sinn Fein and the other parties," he said.
"In the meantime the two governments must now proceed to put in place their all-Ireland partnership arrangements.""In the meantime the two governments must now proceed to put in place their all-Ireland partnership arrangements."
Financial package
Mr Paisley held talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair twice within 48 hours this week.Mr Paisley held talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair twice within 48 hours this week.
After the second meeting, Downing Street reiterated that Monday's deadline stood.After the second meeting, Downing Street reiterated that Monday's deadline stood.
Mr Paisley said a "great deal of ground" had been covered.Mr Paisley said a "great deal of ground" had been covered.
However, he earlier said a financial package offered by Chancellor Gordon Brown did not meet Northern Ireland's economic needs.However, he earlier said a financial package offered by Chancellor Gordon Brown did not meet Northern Ireland's economic needs.
Mr Brown has promised an extra £1bn if devolution is back on Monday.Mr Brown has promised an extra £1bn if devolution is back on Monday.
The cash is on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years.The cash is on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont.The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont.
A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.