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Hain confident over NI government Hain confident over NI government
(about 11 hours later)
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain says he is confident that Sinn Fein and the DUP will be together in government. Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has said he is confident Sinn Fein and the DUP will be together in government.
A roadmap to restore devolution to Northern Ireland has been revealed with a deadline of 26 March 2007 for a new executive after talks in St Andrews.A roadmap to restore devolution to Northern Ireland has been revealed with a deadline of 26 March 2007 for a new executive after talks in St Andrews.
Mr Hain hailed the "astonishing breakthrough" on BBC Five Live. Speaking on BBC Five Live, Mr Hain described the talks as an "astonishing breakthrough".
He said just 48 hours earlier people could not bring themselves to believe Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness would sit together in government. However, Ian Paisley said the DUP would not sit in government with Sinn Fein until they had delivered on policing.
"Let no-one be deceived by statements from the secretary of state that there will be any move by myself or the DUP to enter into any government until Sinn Fein has delivered up front on policing," he said.
"What is more the final say on any of these arrangements will be with the people of Northern Ireland."
Northern Ireland's parties have until 10 November to respond to the plan, and if they agree with it a first minister and deputy first minister would be nominated on 24 November.Northern Ireland's parties have until 10 November to respond to the plan, and if they agree with it a first minister and deputy first minister would be nominated on 24 November.
It follows three days of multi-party talks in Scotland.It follows three days of multi-party talks in Scotland.
'Clear deadline''Clear deadline'
Mr Hain said just 48 hours earlier people could not bring themselves to believe Mr Paisley and Martin McGuinness would sit together in government.
Mr Hain said: "What we now have in prospect is the nomination, as quickly as November 24, of Ian Paisley the DUP leader as first minister, and Martin McGuinness, the Sinn Fein deputy leader and former IRA member, as deputy first minister.Mr Hain said: "What we now have in prospect is the nomination, as quickly as November 24, of Ian Paisley the DUP leader as first minister, and Martin McGuinness, the Sinn Fein deputy leader and former IRA member, as deputy first minister.
"I am confident we can get there because people know we are for real Peter Hain"I am confident we can get there because people know we are for real Peter Hain
"That is an extraordinary thing that nobody expected to happen within a month or so."That is an extraordinary thing that nobody expected to happen within a month or so.
"Then, following consulting the electorate either by referendum or by an election, the introduction of the establishment of sustainable self-government from March next year.""Then, following consulting the electorate either by referendum or by an election, the introduction of the establishment of sustainable self-government from March next year."
Mr Hain said Northern Ireland had been transformed and it looked as if its politicians were catching up with that transformation.Mr Hain said Northern Ireland had been transformed and it looked as if its politicians were catching up with that transformation.
"I am confident we can get there because people know we are for real," he said."I am confident we can get there because people know we are for real," he said.
"There could obviously be slips between now and then, who knows with Northern Ireland, you can never be certain what might come out of the woodwork."There could obviously be slips between now and then, who knows with Northern Ireland, you can never be certain what might come out of the woodwork.
"But one of the things that concentrated the politicians' minds was the very clear deadline that we set of 24 November.""But one of the things that concentrated the politicians' minds was the very clear deadline that we set of 24 November."