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NI parties to get paper on future Hopes rise for NI talks agreement
(about 1 hour later)
Negotiations in St Andrews aimed at restoring devolution to NI are "tough" but politicians are still talking, a Number 10 spokesman has said. Negotiations in Scotland aimed at restoring devolution to Northern Ireland have made progress in the past 24 hours, the BBC has learned.
He confirmed the parties were being presented with a paper outlining the governments' view on the way forward, which would be made public. The parties have been presented with a paper outlining the governments' view on the way forward.
It is the final day of talks attended by the British and Irish premiers. It is thought a new sequence of steps towards devolution is emerging, on this, the final day of talks attended by the British and Irish premiers.
The DUP want Sinn Fein to back policing before it will share power, but Sinn Fein want the DUP to move first. It is thought the parties will be given until mid-November to respond.
It is thought the parties will be given until mid-November to respond to the government paper which is due out around lunchtime on Friday. The sequencing would involve Sinn Fein's executive issuing a statement supporting policing.
Meanwhile, it is understood the DUP has rejected the appointment of a shadow first and deputy first minister in time for the 24 November deadline for a deal on devolution. The DUP would then agree to the election of a shadow first and deputy first minister - triggered if Sinn Fein held an Ard Fheis signing the party up to policing.
href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/6046060.stm" class="">'Mexican standoff' href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/5411290.stm" class="">Where the key players stand The proposal was intended to kickstart a process to see Sinn Fein holding a conference to change its stance on policing. The DUP also want a referendum and there's believed to be agreement on a financial package involving corporation tax as well as movement on water rates and academic selection.
It is thought the DUP was offered an election or referendum in the new year, as well as a halt on the proposed abolition of academic selection. A power-sharing executive could be set up by March or April.
It is uncertain whether the shadow appointment proposal will feature in the governments' paper. href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/6046060.stm" class="">'Mexican standoff' href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/5411290.stm" class="">Where the key players stand
On the future role of MI5 in intelligence gathering, it is understood the government is suggesting Northern Ireland MPs might be appointed to the Westminster intelligence and security committee in order to oversee the security service. Earlier in the talks, the DUP and Sinn Fein seemed to be involved in a standoff over the issue of policing and power-sharing.
So far in the talks, the DUP and Sinn Fein have seemed to be involved in a standoff over the issue of policing and power-sharing.
DUP leader Ian Paisley said Sinn Fein should not be allowed to use policing as a bargaining chip, but should accept the rule of law like every other party.DUP leader Ian Paisley said Sinn Fein should not be allowed to use policing as a bargaining chip, but should accept the rule of law like every other party.
The Fairmont St Andrews Hotel is the venue for the talksSinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said he believed agreement could be reached in the talks, adding that Mr Paisley "has to decide if this is the time to do a deal".The Fairmont St Andrews Hotel is the venue for the talksSinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said he believed agreement could be reached in the talks, adding that Mr Paisley "has to decide if this is the time to do a deal".
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.
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.