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Decision due on DUP power-sharing Decision due on DUP power-sharing
(about 6 hours later)
The DUP's ruling executive is due to meet later to decide if it will nominate ministers to a power-sharing executive at Stormont.The DUP's ruling executive is due to meet later to decide if it will nominate ministers to a power-sharing executive at Stormont.
The British government is looking for an answer from the DUP this weekend before Monday's devolution deadline.The British government is looking for an answer from the DUP this weekend before Monday's devolution deadline.
The British and Irish governments have said Stormont will be dissolved if the 26 March deadline is not met.The British and Irish governments have said Stormont will be dissolved if the 26 March deadline is not met.
Sinn Fein's Ard Chomhairle (ruling executive) is also meeting, where one of the main issues will be devolution. Sinn Fein's ard chomhairle (ruling executive) is also meeting, where one of the main issues will be devolution.
The 120-strong DUP executive meeting has been described by some party figures as its most important in history. The 120-strong DUP executive meeting has been described by some party figures as the most important in its history.
The politicians will gather at Castlereagh Borough Council offices, with discussions expected to last until early Saturday afternoon.The politicians will gather at Castlereagh Borough Council offices, with discussions expected to last until early Saturday afternoon.
BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said: "Most observers believe the DUP leader, Ian Paisley, is ready, in principle, to share power.BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said: "Most observers believe the DUP leader, Ian Paisley, is ready, in principle, to share power.
The parties have until 26 March to agree on power-sharingThe parties have until 26 March to agree on power-sharing
"But his party has been looking for an eight-week delay which will put a new Stormont executive on ice until late May.""But his party has been looking for an eight-week delay which will put a new Stormont executive on ice until late May."
Mr Paisley held talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair twice within 48 hours this week, ahead of the deadline.Mr Paisley held talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair twice within 48 hours this week, ahead of the deadline.
After the second meeting, Downing Street re-iterated that Monday's deadline stood.After the second meeting, Downing Street re-iterated that Monday's deadline stood.
Mr Paisley said a "great deal of ground" had been covered.Mr Paisley said a "great deal of ground" had been covered.
However, he earlier said a financial package offered by Chancellor Gordon Brown did not meet Northern Ireland's economic needs.However, he earlier said a financial package offered by Chancellor Gordon Brown did not meet Northern Ireland's economic needs.
Mr Brown has promised an extra £1bn if devolution is back on Monday.Mr Brown has promised an extra £1bn if devolution is back on Monday.
The cash is on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years.The cash is on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years.
Sinn Fein's Mitchel McLaughlin said there were still those in the DUP who did not want power-sharing.Sinn Fein's Mitchel McLaughlin said there were still those in the DUP who did not want power-sharing.
He said that if the deadline was not met, the assembly should be dissolved and all assembly members "sacked".He said that if the deadline was not met, the assembly should be dissolved and all assembly members "sacked".
The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont.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.A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.
If devolution does not return, controversial water bills will be posted to homes in Northern Ireland within days.If devolution does not return, controversial water bills will be posted to homes in Northern Ireland within days.