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Emergency bill on NI devolution Emergency bill on NI devolution
(30 minutes later)
Emergency legislation is to be rushed through Parliament to give effect to the historic power-sharing deal brokered in Northern Ireland.Emergency legislation is to be rushed through Parliament to give effect to the historic power-sharing deal brokered in Northern Ireland.
Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams have agreed to share power on 8 May.Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams have agreed to share power on 8 May.
Commons leader Jack Straw said MPs and peers will be asked to back the bill, which delays devolution by six weeks, due to "exceptional circumstances".Commons leader Jack Straw said MPs and peers will be asked to back the bill, which delays devolution by six weeks, due to "exceptional circumstances".
The government hopes the bill will be law by midnight on Tuesday. Opposition parties have pledged their support.The government hopes the bill will be law by midnight on Tuesday. Opposition parties have pledged their support.
Meanwhile, there is growing speculation that the MEP Jim Allister may be about to resign from the DUP.Meanwhile, there is growing speculation that the MEP Jim Allister may be about to resign from the DUP.
Mr Allister is known to be opposed to the DUP executive resolution committing to power-sharing with Sinn Fein in May.Mr Allister is known to be opposed to the DUP executive resolution committing to power-sharing with Sinn Fein in May.
He has called a news conference for Tuesday.He has called a news conference for Tuesday.
Devolved government is to return to Northern Ireland following an historic meeting between the leaders of the DUP and Sinn Fein on Monday.Devolved government is to return to Northern Ireland following an historic meeting between the leaders of the DUP and Sinn Fein on Monday.
On Monday, Mr Paisley said the DUP would fully participate in government. Mr Adams said it was a "new era".On Monday, Mr Paisley said the DUP would fully participate in government. Mr Adams said it was a "new era".
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness - set to be deputy first minister - said a lot of work had been done in the background before Monday's agreement.Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness - set to be deputy first minister - said a lot of work had been done in the background before Monday's agreement.
"Obviously this agreement didn't come out of thin air. There was a considerable amount of work done in the days leading up to it," Mr McGuinness said."Obviously this agreement didn't come out of thin air. There was a considerable amount of work done in the days leading up to it," Mr McGuinness said.
He said it was vital that the DUP and Sinn Fein now make a joint approach to Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown to try to build on the economic package on offer to Northern Ireland.He said it was vital that the DUP and Sinn Fein now make a joint approach to Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown to try to build on the economic package on offer to Northern Ireland.
"I think the impact of yesterday's developments will not be lost on anyone, least of all the chancellor and the British prime minister. We've a very strong hand, a very strong case to make.""I think the impact of yesterday's developments will not be lost on anyone, least of all the chancellor and the British prime minister. We've a very strong hand, a very strong case to make."
'Extraordinary significance'
There will be many in this House and beyond who would never have expected such a development in their own lifetimes Jack Straw Analysis: End of the hatredThere will be many in this House and beyond who would never have expected such a development in their own lifetimes Jack Straw Analysis: End of the hatred
Hailing the "extraordinary significance" of the deal, Jack Straw later told the Commons it was right the House should do all it could to facilitate moves towards a "final political settlement" in Northern Ireland.Hailing the "extraordinary significance" of the deal, Jack Straw later told the Commons it was right the House should do all it could to facilitate moves towards a "final political settlement" in Northern Ireland.
"There will be many in this House and beyond who would never have expected such a development in their own lifetimes," he said."There will be many in this House and beyond who would never have expected such a development in their own lifetimes," he said.
Shadow leader of the House, Theresa May, pledged Conservative co-operation to get the bill through Parliament and paid tribute to those who brought about the deal.Shadow leader of the House, Theresa May, pledged Conservative co-operation to get the bill through Parliament and paid tribute to those who brought about the deal.
David Heath, for the Liberal Democrats, described the agreement as "extraordinary and welcome news"David Heath, for the Liberal Democrats, described the agreement as "extraordinary and welcome news"
On Monday, Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was a very important day for the people of Northern Ireland.On Monday, Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was a very important day for the people of Northern Ireland.
Historic day: The two leaders sat side by side at StormontEnlarge ImageHistoric day: The two leaders sat side by side at StormontEnlarge Image
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said this had "the potential to transform the future of this island".Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said this had "the potential to transform the future of this island".
Chancellor Gordon Brown had promised an extra £1bn if devolution was back on 26 March on top of £35bn pledged by the government over four years.Chancellor Gordon Brown had promised an extra £1bn if devolution was back on 26 March on top of £35bn pledged by the government over four years.
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.
However, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said: "When you have got both major parties saying we will deliver... that gives me confidence that this process is finally achieved."However, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said: "When you have got both major parties saying we will deliver... that gives me confidence that this process is finally achieved."
The DUP and Sinn Fein emerged as the two largest parties in the recent assembly election.The DUP and Sinn Fein emerged as the two largest parties in the recent assembly election.
The power-sharing executive will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.The power-sharing executive 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.