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Stormont deadline 'may now slip' Stormont deadline 'may now slip'
(about 1 hour later)
Northern Ireland's devolution deadline may be allowed "to slip" for a few weeks if the parties agree to work together, Peter Hain has said.Northern Ireland's devolution deadline may be allowed "to slip" for a few weeks if the parties agree to work together, Peter Hain has said.
The secretary of state had said the assembly would be dissolved if agreement was not reached by 26 March.The secretary of state had said the assembly would be dissolved if agreement was not reached by 26 March.
It comes amid speculation that DUP leader Ian Paisley will hold his first talks with Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams.It comes amid speculation that DUP leader Ian Paisley will hold his first talks with Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams.
The meeting would represent a policy shift away from the DUP's official policy of no contact with Sinn Fein.The meeting would represent a policy shift away from the DUP's official policy of no contact with Sinn Fein.
Mr Hain told the BBC on Monday: "I've just had news overnight that Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams are meeting for the very first time in their lives - the DUP, the Democratic Unionist Party, and Sinn Fein.Mr Hain told the BBC on Monday: "I've just had news overnight that Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams are meeting for the very first time in their lives - the DUP, the Democratic Unionist Party, and Sinn Fein.
"This is something that defies the word breakthrough, it's never happened before."This is something that defies the word breakthrough, it's never happened before.
"And if they do proceed, and if they have agreed or find a way of agreeing, then they will be able to lock in their own form of power-sharing government rather than me, as past governments have done, imposing something"."And if they do proceed, and if they have agreed or find a way of agreeing, then they will be able to lock in their own form of power-sharing government rather than me, as past governments have done, imposing something".
He added: "I am not worried about a deadline going over a few weeks, if we have something that has never happened before."He added: "I am not worried about a deadline going over a few weeks, if we have something that has never happened before."
Sir Reg said Mr Paisley was putting Mr Adams into a strong positionSir Reg said Mr Paisley was putting Mr Adams into a strong position
An order signed by the NI secretary restarted devolution at midnight.An order signed by the NI secretary restarted devolution at midnight.
The DUP has said it will enter government with Sinn Fein, but not until May.The DUP has said it will enter government with Sinn Fein, but not until May.
Sinn Fein has accused the DUP of trying to "frustrate the will of the electorate".Sinn Fein has accused the DUP of trying to "frustrate the will of the electorate".
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said Mr Paisley was putting Mr Adams into a strong negotiating position.Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said Mr Paisley was putting Mr Adams into a strong negotiating position.
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"What is happening here is that Ian Paisley is preparing - and the trajectory of where he is going is quite clear - he is going into power with Sinn Fein," he said."What is happening here is that Ian Paisley is preparing - and the trajectory of where he is going is quite clear - he is going into power with Sinn Fein," he said.
The SDLP said Mr Hain had "caved in to the DUP".The SDLP said Mr Hain had "caved in to the DUP".
'Bridge the gap''Bridge the gap'
In the assembly election earlier this month, the DUP and Sinn Fein emerged as the two largest parties.In the assembly election earlier this month, the DUP and Sinn Fein emerged as the two largest parties.
The British and Irish governments had said they would shut the assembly and stop the pay of its members if a power-sharing executive was not agreed on Monday.The British and Irish governments had said they would shut the assembly and stop the pay of its members if a power-sharing executive was not agreed on Monday.
If devolution does not return, controversial water bills will also be posted to homes in Northern Ireland within days, said the government.If devolution does not return, controversial water bills will also be posted to homes in Northern Ireland within days, said the government.
Chancellor Gordon Brown has promised an extra £1bn if devolution is back on Monday on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years.Chancellor Gordon Brown has promised an extra £1bn if devolution is back on Monday on top of £35bn promised by the government over four years.
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".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".
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".
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.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.