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Hopes rise for NI talks agreement Hopes rise for NI talks agreement
(about 1 hour later)
Negotiations in Scotland aimed at restoring devolution to Northern Ireland have made progress in the past 24 hours, the BBC has learned.Negotiations in Scotland aimed at restoring devolution to Northern Ireland have made progress in the past 24 hours, the BBC has learned.
The parties have been presented with a paper outlining the governments' view on the way forward.The parties have been presented with a paper outlining the governments' view on the way forward.
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.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.
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.
The sequencing would involve Sinn Fein's executive issuing a statement supporting policing.The sequencing would involve Sinn Fein's executive issuing a statement supporting policing.
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.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.
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. The DUP also want a referendum and there's believed to be movement on water rates and academic selection.
A power-sharing executive could be set up by March or April.A power-sharing executive could be set up by March or April.
'Mexican standoff' Where the key players stand'Mexican standoff' Where the key players stand
Earlier in the talks, the DUP and Sinn Fein seemed to be involved in a standoff over the issue of policing and power-sharing.Earlier in the talks, the DUP and Sinn Fein 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.
Sinn 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".Sinn 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.