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Parties set for crunch NI talks Parties set for crunch NI talks
(about 6 hours later)
Intensive multi-party negotiations aimed at brokering a deal to restore devolution to Northern Ireland are due to begin in Scotland. Intensive multi-party negotiations aimed at brokering a deal to restore devolution to Northern Ireland are due to begin at Saint Andrews in Scotland.
Prime ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern will open the three days of talks at St Andrews. Prime ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern will open the three-day talks.
The UK and Irish governments have given the parties until 24 November to reach a deal on power-sharing, otherwise the assembly may be put into cold storage.The UK and Irish governments have given the parties until 24 November to reach a deal on power-sharing, otherwise the assembly may be put into cold storage.
NI Secretary Peter Hain has said the talks must yield a "100% deal". Mr Blair said the talks were a "one-off opportunity" to build a lasting future for the province.
"If there isn't a 100% deal Stormont will be shut down and the MLAs will cease to have representative rights and all that goes with that. Now that would be failure," he said. "It is necessary, if we are going to make progress in Northern Ireland, to realise the issues aren't going to change," Mr Blair said.
"It would be second best by far and even worse than the deal which is now in prospect before us." "They are not going to change, they are not going to go away, they are still going to be there irrespective of what happens."
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said there was no longer any question that Ian Paisley's DUP will make a deal to restore devolution - only a question of when they will do it.Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said there was no longer any question that Ian Paisley's DUP will make a deal to restore devolution - only a question of when they will do it.
Where the key players stand Search for elusive peace dealWhere the key players stand Search for elusive peace deal
However, addressing his party on Tuesday, Mr Adams said he did not know whether a deal would be done before the November deadline.However, addressing his party on Tuesday, Mr Adams said he did not know whether a deal would be done before the November deadline.
"I do know that the question is no longer about whether the DUP will do a deal, the question is about when the DUP will do a deal," he said."I do know that the question is no longer about whether the DUP will do a deal, the question is about when the DUP will do a deal," he said.
"Our responsibility therefore is to do a deal with Ian Paisley, if he can be brought to that point, and if he cannot then the process continues without him.""Our responsibility therefore is to do a deal with Ian Paisley, if he can be brought to that point, and if he cannot then the process continues without him."
Meanwhile, Mr Hain, speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, said there was no prospect of an amnesty for the so called on the runs.
The talks in Scotland come a week after the body monitoring paramilitary activity said the IRA had changed radically and some of its most important structures had been dismantled.The talks in Scotland come a week after the body monitoring paramilitary activity said the IRA had changed radically and some of its most important structures had been dismantled.
Mr Blair said at that time the IRA's campaign was over and there was a "unique opportunity" to reach a final settlement.Mr Blair said at that time the IRA's campaign was over and there was a "unique opportunity" to reach a final settlement.
The focus is on Ian Paisley and Gerry AdamsThe focus is on Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams
The government hopes the report will help its efforts to restore devolution.The government hopes the report will help its efforts to restore devolution.
The Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended on 14 October 2002 amid allegations of a republican spy ring at Stormont.The Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended on 14 October 2002 amid allegations of a republican spy ring at Stormont.
The court case that followed collapsed and one of those charged, Denis Donaldson, later admitted working as a British agent.The court case that followed collapsed and one of those charged, Denis Donaldson, later admitted working as a British agent.
Direct rule from London was restored in October 2002 and has been in place since.Direct rule from London was restored in October 2002 and has been in place since.
On 15 May this year, Northern Ireland's politicians took their seats in the Stormont assembly.On 15 May this year, Northern Ireland's politicians took their seats in the Stormont assembly.
The government hoped recalling the politicians would help to pave the way towards a deal in the autumn.The government hoped recalling the politicians would help to pave the way towards a deal in the autumn.
A Preparation for Government Committee was set up to identify obstacles to the return of devolution. It met over the summer months.A Preparation for Government Committee was set up to identify obstacles to the return of devolution. It met over the summer months.