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Premiers discuss DUP delay tactic Premiers discuss DUP delay tactic
(about 2 hours later)
Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern are to discuss the latest developments in the Northern Ireland political process. Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern have beendiscussing the latest developments in the Northern Ireland political process.
They are attending a European Union conference in Berlin, marking 50 years of European co-operation. They are attending a European Union conference in Berlin.
Mr Ahern said the DUP seeking a six week delay to forming a power-sharing administration was disappointing.Mr Ahern said the DUP seeking a six week delay to forming a power-sharing administration was disappointing.
"This is not something we can live with, it is not satisfactory to us," he said. NI Secretary Peter Hain has said as things stand the assembly will be dissolved on Monday, unless the parties can agree an alternative.
On Sunday, Mr Hain signed an order restoring power to the Stormont assembly from midnight, despite the DUP decision to wait to May before joining a power-sharing administration.
Commenting on the DUP's decision, Mr Ahern said: "This is not something we can live with, it is not satisfactory to us.
"Obviously there's a lot of tic tacking going on, there's a lot of talks going on, it's not Monday morning yet and we'll have to see where we are."Obviously there's a lot of tic tacking going on, there's a lot of talks going on, it's not Monday morning yet and we'll have to see where we are.
"But as of now if we don't get the institutions set up the institutions collapse - that is the position in the absence of some other innovative thinking.""But as of now if we don't get the institutions set up the institutions collapse - that is the position in the absence of some other innovative thinking."
The DUP's Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said that his party had made an "historic decision".The DUP's Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said that his party had made an "historic decision".
"The Democratic Unionist Party has made a firm commitment to participate in a power-sharing government in May," he said."The Democratic Unionist Party has made a firm commitment to participate in a power-sharing government in May," he said.
Ian Paisley said his party will share power, but not this weekIan Paisley said his party will share power, but not this week
"That is absolutely clear and unequivocal - we felt there was a need for more time because there were outstanding issues that need to be resolved." On Saturday, the DUP's ruling executive overwhelmingly passed a resolution offering a date in May, for going into government with Sinn Fein - if the government delays its devolution deadline by six weeks.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has signed an order restoring power to the Stormont assembly from midnight, despite the DUP decision to wait to May before joing a power-sharing administration.
He insisted Stormont would be dissolved if Monday's deadline was not met - but said if parties could agree an alternative, he was open to that.
On Saturday, the DUP's ruling executive overwhelmingly passed a resolution offering a definite date, in May, for going into government with Sinn Fein - if the government delays its devolution deadline by six weeks.
It is believed the DUP feels it reached an understanding with the government about the delay during talks on Friday.It is believed the DUP feels it reached an understanding with the government about the delay during talks on Friday.
Success or failure?Success or failure?
However, speaking on Sunday, Mr Hain said: "Success tomorrow would be devolution, failure would be dissolution. I don't at the moment see any other way, I only see it our way.However, speaking on Sunday, Mr Hain said: "Success tomorrow would be devolution, failure would be dissolution. I don't at the moment see any other way, I only see it our way.
"If there is another way if the parties have got their own way then they need to jointly agree it and come back to me pretty quickly, because otherwise the law kicks in and there's nothing I can do about it.""If there is another way if the parties have got their own way then they need to jointly agree it and come back to me pretty quickly, because otherwise the law kicks in and there's nothing I can do about it."
On Saturday, the DUP said it was willing to bridge the gap between now and May with preparatory work, "including departmental pre-briefings and finalising a programme for government".On Saturday, the DUP said it was willing to bridge the gap between now and May with preparatory work, "including departmental pre-briefings and finalising a programme for government".
It said it wanted the extra time "to raise the level of confidence in the community and instil a positive attitude towards devolution and local control".It said it wanted the extra time "to raise the level of confidence in the community and instil a positive attitude towards devolution and local control".
The government has threatened to dissolve StormontThe government has threatened to dissolve Stormont
"The Ulster people will be persuaded, they will not be driven," party leader Ian Paisley said."The Ulster people will be persuaded, they will not be driven," party leader Ian Paisley said.
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the DUP was seeking to "frustrate the will of the electorate".Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the DUP was seeking to "frustrate the will of the electorate".
"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."
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said if the DUP needed time it should just nominate ministers then have the assembly go into easter recess.
"Throughout the election campaign the DUP said its approach to devolution was condition led not calendar led.
Financial packageFinancial package
"Now, however, the DUP executive says it will share power with Sinn Fein on a specific date in May," he said.
"This is a further U-turn. What difference does six weeks make?"
The British and Irish governments say they will shut the assembly and stop the pay of its members if a power-sharing executive is not agreed on Monday.The British and Irish governments say they will shut the assembly and stop the pay of its members if a power-sharing executive is not agreed on Monday.
If devolution does not return, controversial water bills will also be posted to homes in Northern Ireland within days.If devolution does not return, controversial water bills will also be posted to homes in Northern Ireland within days.
Chancellor Gordon Brown has promised an extra £1bn if devolution is back on Monday on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years.Chancellor Gordon Brown has promised an extra £1bn if devolution is back on Monday 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.