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'Progress made' at Stormont talks say Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness Progress made at Stormont talks say Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness
(35 minutes later)
Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have said they have been "making progress" on welfare reform.Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have said they have been "making progress" on welfare reform.
Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness returned from America on Thursday to take part in talks at Stormont. Speaking at Stormont, Peter Robinson said he was "not without hope", but there was "still a long way to go".
Earlier this week, Sinn Féin withdrew support for the welfare reform bill.Earlier this week, Sinn Féin withdrew support for the welfare reform bill.
The move has raised questions about the future of devolved government and talks have been taking place to solve the impasse.The move has raised questions about the future of devolved government and talks have been taking place to solve the impasse.
On Thursday, the Secretary of State Theresa Villiers described Sinn Féin's decision to withdraw support for welfare reform legislation as a setback. Mr Robinson and Martin McGuinness returned from a business trip in America on Thursday to take part in the ongoing negotiations.
On Wednesday, Sinn Féin released a 25-page dossier to explain why it had withdrawn support from the welfare reform bill. 'Reach a resolution'
It repeats the party's accusation that the DUP "acted in bad faith" during talks between the two parties on welfare reform implementation. Mr Robinson said the DUP and Sinn Féin had taken part in five hours of discussions already on Friday and were heading into another session.
Sinn Féin said it had made it clear it wanted to provide full protection for current and future benefits claimants. "There is a commitment to Stormont House and Castle agreements. We've had discussions which I think were useful during the course of today," he said.
The DUP said there "wasn't the money in December and there is not the money in March" for what Sinn Féin wanted. "I'm not without hope that we can reach a resolution."
Mr McGuinness said reaching agreement was a "huge challenge", but that progress was being made between the two parties.
"Good work has been done between our teams with a view to reporting some progress," he said.
'More time needed'
"Further work is being taken forward, we're hopeful about the future in overcoming difficulties we face at the moment."
The Secretary of State Theresa Villiers had described Sinn Féin's decision to withdraw support for welfare reform legislation as a setback.
Mr Robinson also said he did not believe that an agreement would be reached by Friday night and said "more time is needed for the officials to do the work that we have tasked them with".
Asked if he would go to Washington next week, Mr Robinson said he did not want to put President Obama in an embarrassing position and said if there was still a crisis, it would be "absurd" for him to head towards Washington.