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Hain signs order on NI devolution Hain signs order on NI devolution
(30 minutes later)
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has signed an order restoring power to the Stormont assembly from midnight.Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has signed an order restoring power to the Stormont assembly from midnight.
It comes despite a decision from the DUP not to nominate ministers to a power-sharing executive at Stormont on Monday, but to share power in May.It comes despite a decision from the DUP not to nominate ministers to a power-sharing executive at Stormont on Monday, but to share power in May.
Earlier, Mr Hain described this as an historic move by the party.Earlier, Mr Hain described this as an historic move by the party.
But he insisted Stormont would be dissolved if Monday's deadline was not met - but said if parties could agree an alternative, he was open to that.But he insisted Stormont would be dissolved if Monday's deadline was not met - but said if parties could agree an alternative, he was open to that.
On Saturday, the DUP's ruling executive overwhelmingly passed a resolution offering a definite date, in May, for going into government with Sinn Fein.On Saturday, the DUP's ruling executive overwhelmingly passed a resolution offering a definite date, in May, for going into government with Sinn Fein.
The party said it would do so if the government delays its devolution deadline by six weeks.The party said it would do so if the government delays its devolution deadline by six weeks.
"It's never happened before, it's of huge historic significance," Mr Hain said of the DUP move. It is believed the DUP feels it reached an understanding with the government about the delay during talks on Friday.
'Persuasion' Success or failure?
"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." However, speaking on Sunday, Mr Hain said: "Success tomorrow would be devolution, failure would be dissolution. I don't at the moment see any other way, I only see it our way.
"If there is another way if the parties have got their own way then they need to jointly agree it and come back to me pretty quickly, because otherwise the law kicks in and there's nothing I can do about it."
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," party leader Ian Paisley told reporters after the meeting. On Saturday, the DUP said it was willing to bridge the gap between now and May 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".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".
"The Ulster people will be persuaded, they will not be driven," party leader Ian Paisley said.
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.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."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."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?""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.