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Irish proposals will be unveiled Paisley says good progress made
(about 3 hours later)
The government is expected to publish draft legislation dealing with the Irish language. DUP leader Ian Paisley has said good progress is being made on a number of fronts in his talks with the government over the return of devolution.
During St Andrews talks, the government promised to bring the proposals forward. Sinn Fein has lobbied for the measure to be completed soon. Speaking after a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, Mr Paisley said the abolition of water charges was achievable.
However, the DUP has threatened to block the law should it come before a restored assembly. He also said the DUP's election success allowed him to move forward.
The newly elected Northern Ireland Assembly is due to meet for the first time on Tuesday at Stormont. The newly-elected Northern Ireland Assembly has been meeting for the first time on Tuesday at Stormont.
The 108 members will be asked to sign the register and select a voting designation, either unionist, nationalist or other. The 108 members were asked to sign the register and select a voting designation, either unionist, nationalist or other.
The parties have until 26 March to agree a power-sharing executive or the British and Irish governments say they will shut the assembly and stop the pay of its members.The parties have until 26 March to agree a power-sharing executive or the British and Irish governments say they will shut the assembly and stop the pay of its members.
If the parties take responsibility for these matters then they can determine the policy Peter Hain 'Strengthened hand'
The government is expected to publish draft legislation setting out how it intends to deal with Irish language rights, while pointing out that if there is a deal by 26 March it will be up to the assembly to decide how it wishes to deal with the matter. Mr Paisley said he had been "severely criticised by various people".
"Some of them are my personal friends but they don't agree with what I've done, (but) the electorate fortunately has agreed," he said.
"It has strengthened my hand - I can afford to go further forward now with things, because I am confident that the people are with me."
The new assembly is comprised of 36 DUP members, 28 Sinn Fein members, the UUP has 18 and the SDLP has 16.The new assembly is comprised of 36 DUP members, 28 Sinn Fein members, the UUP has 18 and the SDLP has 16.
If a power-sharing executive is formed it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.If a power-sharing executive is formed it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.
There are new faces on the benches, including Alliance's Anna Lo, the first member to come from an ethnic minority background.There are new faces on the benches, including Alliance's Anna Lo, the first member to come from an ethnic minority background.
The outgoing speaker, Eileen Bell, is expected to remain in place until a replacement is elected.The outgoing speaker, Eileen Bell, is expected to remain in place until a replacement is elected.
On Monday, Secretary of State Peter Hain re-stated the position that the deadline would not be changed.
He said if there was no deal he would implement the new water charges.
However, if a power-sharing executive wanted to follow a different policy, the government could help them financially.
Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern said his government was willing to contribute to a financial package if it was to the mutual benefit of people on both sides of the border.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont. A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont. A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.