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May date for return to devolution May date for return to devolution
(10 minutes later)
A May date for the return of NI devolved government has been agreed following an historic meeting between the leaders of the DUP and Sinn Fein.A May date for the return of NI devolved government has been agreed following an historic meeting between the leaders of the DUP and Sinn Fein.
Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, sitting side by side at a news conference in Stormont on Monday, confirmed that power-sharing would begin on 8 May.Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, sitting side by side at a news conference in Stormont on Monday, confirmed that power-sharing would begin on 8 May.
The DUP leader had dropped his long standing ban on talking to Sinn Fein.The DUP leader had dropped his long standing ban on talking to Sinn Fein.
The British and Irish governments had said they would shut the assembly if an executive was not agreed on Monday.The British and Irish governments had said they would shut the assembly if an executive was not agreed on Monday.
The Stormont Assembly was due to meet at noon to appoint ministers to a devolved government.The Stormont Assembly was due to meet at noon to appoint ministers to a devolved government.
It is understood that Mr Adams and Mr Paisley are now on course for an agreement to delay the restoration of Northern Ireland devolution, possibly until 8 May. Instead, the two party delegations met at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
According to a Sinn Fein source, the two-party delegations are sitting around a diamond-shaped table at Parliament Buildings, Stormont in Belfast. Mr Adams - wearing his Easter lily to commemorate those who died in the 1916 rebellion - and Mr Paisley were said to be juxtaposed at one corner of a table.
Mr Adams and Mr Paisley are said to be juxtaposed at one corner of the table. The source said it was unlikely that there would be a handshake between the two men. Gerry Adams is meeting DUP leader Ian Paisley
Ian Paisley arriving earlier at Stormont After the meeting, Mr Paisley said: "Our goal has been to see devolution returned in a context where it can make a real, meaningful improvement in the lives of all the people of this part of the United Kingdom.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said the British Government would not stand in the way of a new consensus on the way forward in Northern Ireland. "On Saturday, the DUP executive overwhelmingly endorsed a motion committing our party to support and participate fully in government in May of this year - this is a binding resolution."
"If there's a consensus about the way forward, the British Government isn't going to stand in the way of that consensus," he said.
"The important thing is there has to be an agreed way forward. If that's in prospect then we will do everything we can to comply with that."
Time 'slip'Time 'slip'
Earlier on Monday, Secretary of State Peter Hain said Northern Ireland's devolution deadline may be allowed "to slip" for a few weeks if the parties agree to work together.Earlier on Monday, Secretary of State Peter Hain said Northern Ireland's devolution deadline may be allowed "to slip" for a few weeks if the parties agree to work together.
He said the assembly would be dissolved if agreement was not reached by 26 March.He said the assembly would be dissolved if agreement was not reached by 26 March.
An order signed by the NI secretary restarted devolution at midnight.An order signed by the NI secretary restarted devolution at midnight.
The DUP has said it will enter government with Sinn Fein, but not until May.
Sinn Fein has accused the DUP of trying to "frustrate the will of the electorate".
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said Mr Paisley was putting Mr Adams into a strong negotiating position.
HAVE YOUR SAY NI needs a government made up of politicians from real political parties capable of forming national governments, not just regional talking shops Thomas, Bangor Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY NI needs a government made up of politicians from real political parties capable of forming national governments, not just regional talking shops Thomas, Bangor Send us your comments
"What is happening here is that Ian Paisley is preparing - and the trajectory of where he is going is quite clear - he is going into power with Sinn Fein," he said.
The SDLP said Mr Hain had "caved in to the DUP".
In the assembly election earlier this month, the DUP and Sinn Fein emerged as the two largest parties.In the assembly election earlier this month, the DUP and Sinn Fein emerged as the two largest parties.
If devolution does not return, controversial water bills will also be posted to homes in Northern Ireland within days, said the government.If devolution does not return, controversial water bills will also be posted to homes in Northern Ireland within days, said the government.
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.
If a power-sharing executive is formed, it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.If a power-sharing executive is formed, it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.
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.