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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 |
(about 20 hours 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. |
Speaking at Stormont, Peter Robinson said he was "not without hope", but there was "still a long way to go". | 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. |
It is understood behind the scenes contacts, involving officials, are continuing over the weekend, but no more formal meetings are scheduled until Monday. | |
'Reach a resolution' | 'Reach a resolution' |
The DUP and Sinn Féin took part in more than five hours of discussions on Friday. | |
"There is a commitment to Stormont House and Castle agreements. We've had discussions which I think were useful during the course of today," Mr Robinson said. | |
"I'm not without hope that we can reach a resolution." | "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. | 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. | "Good work has been done between our teams with a view to reporting some progress," he said. |
'More time needed' | 'More time needed' |
"Further work is being taken forward, we're hopeful about the future in overcoming difficulties we face at the moment." | "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. | 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 more time was needed for the "officials to do the work that we have tasked them with". | |
Mr Robinson and Martin McGuinness returned from a business trip in America on Thursday to take part in the ongoing negotiations. | |
It is still unclear if the first minister and deputy first ministers will travel to Washington to attend Barack Obama's St Patrick's Day festivities on Tuesday. | |
Mr Robinson previously said he would not make the trip unless the welfare crisis was resolved. |