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Devolution target date revealed Devolution target date revealed
(20 minutes later)
An outline plan to move forward the Northern Ireland political process has been revealed by the British and Irish governments.An outline plan to move forward the Northern Ireland political process has been revealed by the British and Irish governments.
It contains a target date of 26 March 2007 for a new executive to be up and running.It contains a target date of 26 March 2007 for a new executive to be up and running.
This would follow a carefully sequenced series of steps on policing and power-sharing. The parties have until 10 November to respond to the plan. If they agree to it, a first and deputy first minister would be nominated on 24 November.
Talks on devolution, which are being held at St Andrews in Scotland, are in their final day. The plan follows three days of multi-party talks in Scotland.
It is understood progress has been made in the last 24 hours. Prime Minister Tony Blair said there would have to be some form of electoral endorsment of the plan - either an election or a referendum.
The government's plan is also reported to envisage the devolution of policing and justice powers in two years from the creation of the executive. He said the two key components of a plan were that all parties accept the police and courts and have a clear agreement on power-sharing.
The government's plan also envisages the devolution of policing and justice powers in two years from the creation of the executive.
However, this would be subject to a cross-community vote in the assembly.However, this would be subject to a cross-community vote in the assembly.
It is thought the parties will be given until mid-November to respond to the plan.
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 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.
'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.