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Paisley and Adams meeting Blair Paisley and Adams meeting Blair
(about 1 hour later)
DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams are having separate talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair in London. DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams have been holding separate talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair in London.
The two men's parties have until March 26 to agree to share power - or the London and Dublin governments will dissolve the Stormont Assembly.The two men's parties have until March 26 to agree to share power - or the London and Dublin governments will dissolve the Stormont Assembly.
The meetings followed Northern Ireland questions and prime minister's question time in the Commons.The meetings followed Northern Ireland questions and prime minister's question time in the Commons.
They are also expected to meet Chancellor Gordon Brown. They were also expected to meet Chancellor Gordon Brown.
Before his meetings with the party leaders, Mr Blair told the Commons that news of another fall in Northern Ireland's unemployment figures was a sign of changing times.Before his meetings with the party leaders, Mr Blair told the Commons that news of another fall in Northern Ireland's unemployment figures was a sign of changing times.
"Over the past few years, there have been 100,000 extra jobs in Northern Ireland and a reduction of 30,000 in the number of unemployed," he said."Over the past few years, there have been 100,000 extra jobs in Northern Ireland and a reduction of 30,000 in the number of unemployed," he said.
"What was fascinating about the election was that the bread and butter issues - water charges, health, education, the local economy - were prominent on the doorstep.""What was fascinating about the election was that the bread and butter issues - water charges, health, education, the local economy - were prominent on the doorstep."
DeadlineDeadline
Earlier this week, Secretary of State Peter Hain warned the parties that the 26 March deadline for restoration of the assembly must be met - or else Stormont would be dissolved.
The newly elected Northern Ireland Assembly met for the first time on Tuesday at Stormont.The newly elected Northern Ireland Assembly met for the first time on Tuesday at Stormont.
The 108 members were 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 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.
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.