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| NI talks: David Cameron 'determined to secure political agreement' | NI talks: David Cameron 'determined to secure political agreement' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Prime Minister David Cameron has said he is determined to do everything he can to secure agreement in the cross-party talks in Northern Ireland. | Prime Minister David Cameron has said he is determined to do everything he can to secure agreement in the cross-party talks in Northern Ireland. |
| The talks concern disputes on flags, parades, the past and welfare reform. | The talks concern disputes on flags, parades, the past and welfare reform. |
| Mr Cameron and Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny will be in Belfast later to broker a solution. | Mr Cameron and Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny will be in Belfast later to broker a solution. |
| He said both he and Mr Kenny would be "pushing hard" to bring the talks to a successful conclusion. | He said both he and Mr Kenny would be "pushing hard" to bring the talks to a successful conclusion. |
| "This week I am in Northern Ireland to participate directly in the cross-party talks that are now in their ninth week at Stormont," Mr Cameron said. | "This week I am in Northern Ireland to participate directly in the cross-party talks that are now in their ninth week at Stormont," Mr Cameron said. |
| "These talks have reached a crucial phase. As Prime Minister I am determined to do everything I can to help resolve outstanding issues and secure agreement across a range of vitally important issues. | "These talks have reached a crucial phase. As Prime Minister I am determined to do everything I can to help resolve outstanding issues and secure agreement across a range of vitally important issues. |
| "I know that An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, fully shares that strong commitment. | "I know that An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, fully shares that strong commitment. |
| "That is why the UK government, along with our very close colleagues in the Irish government, will be pushing hard to bring these discussions to a successful conclusion this week. I am confident, too, that Northern Ireland's political leaders share a genuine desire to reach an agreement." | "That is why the UK government, along with our very close colleagues in the Irish government, will be pushing hard to bring these discussions to a successful conclusion this week. I am confident, too, that Northern Ireland's political leaders share a genuine desire to reach an agreement." |
| On Tuesday, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers urged political leaders in Northern Ireland to "go the extra mile" in the latest round of talks. | On Tuesday, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers urged political leaders in Northern Ireland to "go the extra mile" in the latest round of talks. |
| Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson has said he hopes the government regards the end of this week as the deadline to reach agreement. | Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson has said he hopes the government regards the end of this week as the deadline to reach agreement. |
| He said that when Mr Cameron and Mr Kenny join the negotiations they may push the Northern Ireland political parties to get a deal over the line. | He said that when Mr Cameron and Mr Kenny join the negotiations they may push the Northern Ireland political parties to get a deal over the line. |
| However, he added that they in turn would find themselves being pushed on issues that the parties want to see delivered. | However, he added that they in turn would find themselves being pushed on issues that the parties want to see delivered. |
| Cuts | Cuts |
| Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the talks had reached "crunch time". | Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the talks had reached "crunch time". |
| Chancellor George Osborne has said devolving corporation tax powers to Stormont would depend on the outcome of the talks. | Chancellor George Osborne has said devolving corporation tax powers to Stormont would depend on the outcome of the talks. |
| Unlike the rest of the UK, reductions to the welfare budget have not been implemented in Northern Ireland. | Unlike the rest of the UK, reductions to the welfare budget have not been implemented in Northern Ireland. |
| Sinn Féin is opposed to introducing the cuts, while the DUP says that the consequent reduction in Northern Ireland's block grant means that there is no choice. The shortfall is estimated at £200m. | Sinn Féin is opposed to introducing the cuts, while the DUP says that the consequent reduction in Northern Ireland's block grant means that there is no choice. The shortfall is estimated at £200m. |
| A previous effort to find new mechanisms to deal with the issues of flags, parades, and the legacy of the Troubles ended without agreement last Christmas. | A previous effort to find new mechanisms to deal with the issues of flags, parades, and the legacy of the Troubles ended without agreement last Christmas. |
| Shadow Secretary of State Ivan Lewis welcomed the prime minister's visit to Belfast for the interparty talks. | |
| "Another failure to reach agreement will not only risk the stability of Northern Ireland's political institutions, it will further damage public confidence in Northern Ireland's political leadership," he said. | |
| "The best Christmas present the people of Northern Ireland could receive is a renewed sense of hope and optimism about the future." | "The best Christmas present the people of Northern Ireland could receive is a renewed sense of hope and optimism about the future." |