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| May date for return to devolution | May date for return to devolution |
| (10 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. | 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. | 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 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. |
| Instead, the two party delegations met at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. | Instead, the two party delegations met at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. |
| Mr Adams - wearing his Easter lily to commemorate those who died in the 1916 rebellion - and Mr Paisley were said to be juxtaposed at one corner of a table. | Mr Adams - wearing his Easter lily to commemorate those who died in the 1916 rebellion - and Mr Paisley were said to be juxtaposed at one corner of a table. |
| Gerry Adams met DUP leader Ian Paisley | |
| After the meeting, Mr Paisley said: "Our goal has been to see devolution returned in a context where it can make a real, meaningful improvement in the lives of all the people of this part of the United Kingdom. | After the meeting, Mr Paisley said: "Our goal has been to see devolution returned in a context where it can make a real, meaningful improvement in the lives of all the people of this part of the United Kingdom. |
| "On Saturday, the DUP executive overwhelmingly endorsed a motion committing our party to support and participate fully in government in May of this year - this is a binding resolution." | "On Saturday, the DUP executive overwhelmingly endorsed a motion committing our party to support and participate fully in government in May of this year - this is a binding resolution." |
| Mr Adams said he welcomed Mr Paisley's statement. | |
| "I believe the agreement reached between Sinn Fein and the DUP - including the unequivocal commitment made by their party executive and reiterated today - to the restoration of political institutions on 8 May marks the beginning of a new era of politics on this island," he said. | |
| "The basis of the agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP follows Ian Paisley's unequivocal and welcome commitment to support and participate fully in the political institutions on 8 May." | |
| Water 'reprieve' | |
| Both Sinn Fein and the DUP have asked the British government not to issue water bills due to be sent out this week for the first time. | |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |