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Hain facing committee questions Hain facing committee questions
(30 minutes later)
The secretary of state has told NI politicians 24 November is an "absolute deadline" for progress.The secretary of state has told NI politicians 24 November is an "absolute deadline" for progress.
At a meeting of the Preparation for Government Committee Peter Hain said, based on past experience, failure could mean no assembly for about ten years.At a meeting of the Preparation for Government Committee Peter Hain said, based on past experience, failure could mean no assembly for about ten years.
The body is intended to prepare for a return to devolved government. The committee is intended to prepare for a return to devolved government.
Meanwhile, the government has announced the dates for talks between the two prime ministers and local parties in Scotland next month. Meanwhile, the government has said Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern will chair talks between the parties in St Andrew's, Scotland, from 11-13 October.
Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern will chair discussions in St Andrew's from 11-13 October.
Last month, Mr Hain told the Preparation for Government Committee he did not see their role as scrutinising government policy or quizzing ministers on expressed views.Last month, Mr Hain told the Preparation for Government Committee he did not see their role as scrutinising government policy or quizzing ministers on expressed views.
HAIN AT ASSEMBLY: LIVE FROM 1000 BSTHAIN AT ASSEMBLY: LIVE FROM 1000 BST
Click here to watch Peter Hain answer questions live at the Assembly in broadbandClick here to watch Peter Hain answer questions live at the Assembly in broadband
Click here to watch in narrow band qualityClick here to watch in narrow band quality
However, he later agreed to discuss law and order matters with committee members.However, he later agreed to discuss law and order matters with committee members.
Mr Hain has said attempts to restore devolution would probably be put back until 2009 if the 24 November deadline is missed.Mr Hain has said attempts to restore devolution would probably be put back until 2009 if the 24 November deadline is missed.
He said the two governments were unlikely to make further attempts until after the next British and Irish general elections.He said the two governments were unlikely to make further attempts until after the next British and Irish general elections.
The secretary of state said intensive political talks involving the two prime ministers would be held outside Northern Ireland next month.The secretary of state said intensive political talks involving the two prime ministers would be held outside Northern Ireland next month.
Devolution was suspended in October 2002 over allegations of a republican spy ring.Devolution was suspended in October 2002 over allegations of a republican spy ring.
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.