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| Northern Ireland talks must lift blockages says Cameron | Northern Ireland talks must lift blockages says Cameron |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Political talks in Northern Ireland must "lift the blockages" preventing its power-sharing executive from delivering effective government, Prime Minister David Cameron has said. | Political talks in Northern Ireland must "lift the blockages" preventing its power-sharing executive from delivering effective government, Prime Minister David Cameron has said. |
| Talks aimed at resolving difficulties among the five parties in the devolved government begin in Belfast later. | Talks aimed at resolving difficulties among the five parties in the devolved government begin in Belfast later. |
| Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers will chair the first session. | Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers will chair the first session. |
| Mr Cameron said he and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny were expecting a progress report by the end of November. | Mr Cameron said he and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny were expecting a progress report by the end of November. |
| 'Seize the opportunity' | |
| "While the government can help, ultimately it is for Northern Ireland political leaders to take these issues forward," he said. | "While the government can help, ultimately it is for Northern Ireland political leaders to take these issues forward," he said. |
| "I trust, therefore, that all parties will approach these talks constructively and with a genuine willingness to succeed." | "I trust, therefore, that all parties will approach these talks constructively and with a genuine willingness to succeed." |
| Mr Kenny said he and Mr Cameron were agreed that "now is the time for the party leaders to seize the opportunity of these talks to find a way forward and secure the prize of a peaceful, prosperous and shared Northern Ireland". | Mr Kenny said he and Mr Cameron were agreed that "now is the time for the party leaders to seize the opportunity of these talks to find a way forward and secure the prize of a peaceful, prosperous and shared Northern Ireland". |
| The secretary of state said she was approaching the talks with optimism, but added it was vital for the devolved administration that progress was made. | |
| "I think Stormont could carry on as it is, but the trouble is, its decision making is getting more and more difficult," Ms Villiers told BBC Northern Ireland's Nolan programme. | |
| "The two big issues - the budget and welfare reform - and flags, parading and the past are making it more and more difficult for the executive and the assembly to operate effectively." | |
| 'Circus' | 'Circus' |
| The Irish government will be represented at Thursday's talks by Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan. | The Irish government will be represented at Thursday's talks by Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan. |
| The Democratic Unionist Party has said it will not attend the first round-table session, with its party leader, Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, describing it as a "circus" arranged for the cameras. | The Democratic Unionist Party has said it will not attend the first round-table session, with its party leader, Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, describing it as a "circus" arranged for the cameras. |
| However, unlike last year's talks chaired by former US diplomat Richard Haass, there are no plans for a round-table picture of the participants. | |
| DUP Chief Whip Peter Weir said the party would meet Ms Villiers on Thursday to discuss budget and welfare issues, but "will not be engaging with the Irish government about matters that are exclusively internal Northern Ireland affairs". | DUP Chief Whip Peter Weir said the party would meet Ms Villiers on Thursday to discuss budget and welfare issues, but "will not be engaging with the Irish government about matters that are exclusively internal Northern Ireland affairs". |
| The SDLP's Alex Attwood said he had great hopes for the negotiations. | The SDLP's Alex Attwood said he had great hopes for the negotiations. |
| "There's only one measure of these talks, only one measure that counts and that is that by Christmas across all of the issues, dealing with the past, the budgetary matters, welfare, flags, symbols, identity, and the unfinished work of the Good Friday Agreement, that we have comprehensive and decisive outcomes," he said. | "There's only one measure of these talks, only one measure that counts and that is that by Christmas across all of the issues, dealing with the past, the budgetary matters, welfare, flags, symbols, identity, and the unfinished work of the Good Friday Agreement, that we have comprehensive and decisive outcomes," he said. |
| Venue switch | Venue switch |
| The talks were originally planned for Stormont's Parliament Buildings, home of the Northern Ireland Assembly. | The talks were originally planned for Stormont's Parliament Buildings, home of the Northern Ireland Assembly. |
| However, some unionists raised objections to the Irish government having a presence at the assembly. | However, some unionists raised objections to the Irish government having a presence at the assembly. |
| So the opening session has been switched to Stormont House - the Northern Ireland Office's Belfast base. | So the opening session has been switched to Stormont House - the Northern Ireland Office's Belfast base. |
| Like the Haass talks which ended without a deal last December, the negotiators will consider the problems of flags, parades and the legacy of the Troubles. | Like the Haass talks which ended without a deal last December, the negotiators will consider the problems of flags, parades and the legacy of the Troubles. |
| In addition, they will examine the Stormont budget crisis and changes to the way the assembly and executive work. | In addition, they will examine the Stormont budget crisis and changes to the way the assembly and executive work. |