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May date for return to devolution | |
(20 minutes later) | |
A May date for the return of NI devolved government has been agreed following an historic meeting between the leaders of the DUP and Sinn Fein. | |
Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, sitting side by side at a news conference in Stormont on Monday, confirmed that power-sharing would begin on 8 May. | |
The DUP leader had dropped his long standing ban on talking to Sinn Fein. | |
The British and Irish governments had said they would shut the assembly if an executive was not agreed on Monday. | The British and Irish governments had said they would shut the assembly if an executive was not agreed on Monday. |
The Stormont Assembly was due to meet at noon to appoint ministers to a devolved government. | The Stormont Assembly was due to meet at noon to appoint ministers to a devolved government. |
It is understood that Mr Adams and Mr Paisley are now on course for an agreement to delay the restoration of Northern Ireland devolution, possibly until 8 May. | It is understood that Mr Adams and Mr Paisley are now on course for an agreement to delay the restoration of Northern Ireland devolution, possibly until 8 May. |
According to a Sinn Fein source, the two-party delegations are sitting around a diamond-shaped table at Parliament Buildings, Stormont in Belfast. | According to a Sinn Fein source, the two-party delegations are sitting around a diamond-shaped table at Parliament Buildings, Stormont in Belfast. |
Mr Adams and Mr Paisley are said to be juxtaposed at one corner of the table. The source said it was unlikely that there would be a handshake between the two men. | Mr Adams and Mr Paisley are said to be juxtaposed at one corner of the table. The source said it was unlikely that there would be a handshake between the two men. |
Ian Paisley arriving earlier at Stormont | Ian Paisley arriving earlier at Stormont |
A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said the British Government would not stand in the way of a new consensus on the way forward in Northern Ireland. | A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said the British Government would not stand in the way of a new consensus on the way forward in Northern Ireland. |
"If there's a consensus about the way forward, the British Government isn't going to stand in the way of that consensus," he said. | "If there's a consensus about the way forward, the British Government isn't going to stand in the way of that consensus," he said. |
"The important thing is there has to be an agreed way forward. If that's in prospect then we will do everything we can to comply with that." | "The important thing is there has to be an agreed way forward. If that's in prospect then we will do everything we can to comply with that." |
Time 'slip' | Time 'slip' |
Earlier on Monday, Secretary of State Peter Hain said Northern Ireland's devolution deadline may be allowed "to slip" for a few weeks if the parties agree to work together. | Earlier on Monday, Secretary of State Peter Hain said Northern Ireland's devolution deadline may be allowed "to slip" for a few weeks if the parties agree to work together. |
He said the assembly would be dissolved if agreement was not reached by 26 March. | He said the assembly would be dissolved if agreement was not reached by 26 March. |
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. |
HAVE YOUR SAY NI needs a government made up of politicians from real political parties capable of forming national governments, not just regional talking shops Thomas, Bangor Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY NI needs a government made up of politicians from real political parties capable of forming national governments, not just regional talking shops Thomas, Bangor Send us your comments |
"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". |
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. |
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. |
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. |