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'Deliver' call as NI talks begin 'Will there' to make NI deal work
(about 1 hour later)
Sinn Fein must back policing and the IRA hand back any "ill-gotten gains" to enter government, DUP leader Ian Paisley has said. There is the will to make devolution work in Northern Ireland, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
He was speaking as intensive multi-party talks aimed at brokering a deal to restore devolution were due to begin at St Andrews in Scotland. He was speaking as intensive multi-party talks aimed at brokering a deal to restore devolution began at St Andrews in Scotland.
He said progress had been made and it was time "to get the business done". "I believe the political will is there to do that," he said.
Mr Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern opened the three-day talks.
Mr Ahern said the two governments would try to find ways and compromises to deal with the "short enough list of outstanding issues".
DUP leader Ian Paisley said Sinn Fein must back policing and the IRA hand back any "ill-gotten gains" to enter government.
"We are not here to argue or debate with Sinn Fein we are here to listen - if they are going to deliver," he said."We are not here to argue or debate with Sinn Fein we are here to listen - if they are going to deliver," he said.
Prime ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern will open the three-day talks. Politicians have now been summoned to an opening round-table session.
Afterwards, during the evening, the parties will hold separate meetings with the two premiers. It is believed negotiations will be conducted on a twin-track basis
Where the key players stand Search for elusive peace deal
On Thursday for example the prime ministers are expected to concentrate on the topic of policing - other ministers will deal with issues related to the devolution of justice, parades, equality, human rights and changes to the Stormont rules.
On Friday it is believed that the talks may deal with questuions concerning the past and victims.
The negotiations are due to end at noon on Friday.
The UK and Irish governments have given the parties until 24 November to reach a deal on power-sharing, otherwise the assembly may be put into cold storage.The UK and Irish governments have given the parties until 24 November to reach a deal on power-sharing, otherwise the assembly may be put into cold storage.
Mr Blair said the talks were a "one-off opportunity" to build a lasting future for the province.Mr Blair said the talks were a "one-off opportunity" to build a lasting future for the province.
"It is necessary, if we are going to make progress in Northern Ireland, to realise the issues aren't going to change," Mr Blair said. On Tuesday Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said there was no longer any question that Ian Paisley's DUP will make a deal to restore devolution - only a question of when they will do it.
"They are not going to change, they are not going to go away, they are still going to be there irrespective of what happens." However he said he did not know whether a deal would be done before the November deadline.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said there was no longer any question that Ian Paisley's DUP will make a deal to restore devolution - only a question of when they will do it.
Where the key players stand Search for elusive peace deal
However, addressing his party on Tuesday, Mr Adams said he did not know whether a deal would be done before the November deadline.
"I do know that the question is no longer about whether the DUP will do a deal, the question is about when the DUP will do a deal," he said."I do know that the question is no longer about whether the DUP will do a deal, the question is about when the DUP will do a deal," he said.
"Our responsibility therefore is to do a deal with Ian Paisley, if he can be brought to that point, and if he cannot then the process continues without him." Meanwhile, speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said there was no prospect of an amnesty for the so-called on-the-runs.
Meanwhile, speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said there was no prospect of an amnesty for the so-called on the runs.
The talks in Scotland come a week after the body monitoring paramilitary activity said the IRA had changed radically and some of its most important structures had been dismantled.The talks in Scotland come a week after the body monitoring paramilitary activity said the IRA had changed radically and some of its most important structures had been dismantled.
Mr Blair said at that time the IRA's campaign was over and there was a "unique opportunity" to reach a final settlement.Mr Blair said at that time the IRA's campaign was over and there was a "unique opportunity" to reach a final settlement.
The focus is on Ian Paisley and Gerry AdamsThe focus is on Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams
The government hopes the report will help its efforts to restore devolution.
The Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended on 14 October 2002 amid allegations of a republican spy ring at Stormont.The Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended on 14 October 2002 amid allegations of a republican spy ring at Stormont.
The court case that followed collapsed and one of those charged, Denis Donaldson, later admitted working as a British agent.The court case that followed collapsed and one of those charged, Denis Donaldson, later admitted working as a British agent.
Direct rule from London was restored in October 2002 and has been in place since.Direct rule from London was restored in October 2002 and has been in place since.
On 15 May this year, Northern Ireland's politicians took their seats in the Stormont assembly.On 15 May this year, Northern Ireland's politicians took their seats in the Stormont assembly.
The government hoped recalling the politicians would help to pave the way towards a deal in the autumn.The government hoped recalling the politicians would help to pave the way towards a deal in the autumn.
A Preparation for Government Committee was set up to identify obstacles to the return of devolution. It met over the summer months.A Preparation for Government Committee was set up to identify obstacles to the return of devolution. It met over the summer months.