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Hain hails DUP power-sharing move Hain hails DUP power-sharing move
(10 minutes later)
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has hailed an agreement by the DUP to commit to a firm date for entering government with Sinn Fein.Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has hailed an agreement by the DUP to commit to a firm date for entering government with Sinn Fein.
"It's never happened before, it's of huge historic significance," he said."It's never happened before, it's of huge historic significance," he said.
The DUP has agreed to share power with Sinn Fein - if the government delays its devolution deadline by six weeks.The DUP has agreed to share power with Sinn Fein - if the government delays its devolution deadline by six weeks.
Mr Hain insisted that Stormont would be dissolved if Monday's deadline was not met - but said if parties could agree an alternative, he was open to that.Mr Hain insisted that Stormont would be dissolved if Monday's deadline was not met - but said if parties could agree an alternative, he was open to that.
Mr Hain will sign an order later restoring power to the Stormont assembly. "Devolution tomorrow or dissolution follows," he said.
The move comes despite the DUP's decision that they will not nominate ministers to a power-sharing executive on Monday. 'Persuasion'
Negotiations "We can either do it our way as a government - which is the way we've suggested, and we've made huge progress - or the parties can do it their own way. There isn't any other alternative."
On Saturday, the DUP's ruling executive overwhelmingly passed a resolution understood to offer a definite date, in May, for going into government with Sinn Fein. Mr Hain will sign an order later restoring power to the Stormont assembly, despite the DUP's decision not to nominate ministers to a power-sharing executive on Monday.
DUP leader Ian Paisley said the details of the resolution would be released after negotiations with the government were concluded. On Saturday, the DUP's ruling executive overwhelmingly passed a resolution offering a definite date, in May, for going into government with Sinn Fein.
Ian Paisley said his party will share power, but not this weekIan Paisley said his party will share power, but not this week
"The Ulster people will be persuaded, they will not be driven," he told reporters after the DUP meeting. "The Ulster people will be persuaded, they will not be driven," party leader Ian Paisley told reporters after the meeting.
The party said it was willing to bridge the gap between now and then with preparatory work, "including departmental pre-briefings and finalising a programme for government".The party said it was willing to bridge the gap between now and then with preparatory work, "including departmental pre-briefings and finalising a programme for government".
It said it wanted the extra time "to raise the level of confidence in the community and instil a positive attitude towards devolution and local control".
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the DUP was seeking to "frustrate the will of the electorate".Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the DUP was seeking to "frustrate the will of the electorate".
"If the DUP wants a functioning assembly after 26 March this can only happen through direct dialogue and agreement with Sinn Fein and the other parties," he said."If the DUP wants a functioning assembly after 26 March this can only happen through direct dialogue and agreement with Sinn Fein and the other parties," he said.
"In the meantime the two governments must now proceed to put in place their all-Ireland partnership arrangements.""In the meantime the two governments must now proceed to put in place their all-Ireland partnership arrangements."
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said if the DUP needed time it should just nominate ministers then have the assembly go into easter recess.
"Throughout the election campaign the DUP said its approach to devolution was condition led not calendar led.
Financial packageFinancial package
"Now, however, the DUP executive says it will share power with Sinn Fein on a specific date in May," he said.
"This is a further U-turn. What difference does six weeks make?"
Mr Paisley held talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair twice within 48 hours this week.Mr Paisley held talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair twice within 48 hours this week.
After the second meeting, Downing Street reiterated that Monday's deadline stood.After the second meeting, Downing Street reiterated 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.
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.