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| NI talks: Hint of partial breakthrough on welfare | NI talks: Hint of partial breakthrough on welfare |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| There may have been a partial breakthrough in the cross-party talks at Stormont, a source has told the BBC. | There may have been a partial breakthrough in the cross-party talks at Stormont, a source has told the BBC. |
| The talks are aimed at resolving disputes over flags, parades, the legacy of the Troubles and welfare. | The talks are aimed at resolving disputes over flags, parades, the legacy of the Troubles and welfare. |
| The source suggested agreement may have been reached on a "cushion" to fund welfare out of the Northern Ireland Executive budget. | The source suggested agreement may have been reached on a "cushion" to fund welfare out of the Northern Ireland Executive budget. |
| However, other sources said that the situation is more complex and the talks will continue on Friday morning. | However, other sources said that the situation is more complex and the talks will continue on Friday morning. |
| Competing proposals | Competing proposals |
| Negotiators from the five executive parties have been holding the latest round of talks in Stormont Castle. | |
| Their discussions continued late into the night, with the parties seemingly determined to resist any attempt to draw a line under another failed negotiation. | |
| Negotiators studied detailed costings for competing proposals for the future of the welfare system in Northern Ireland. | |
| Sinn Féin has refused to implement welfare reform in Northern Ireland and a paper from the party earlier in the week was dismissed as being unrealistic and unaffordable by other political parties. | |
| Late on Thursday night, one senior Stormont source told the BBC that a breakthrough is now believed to be possible. | |
| It would mean agreement on a financial cushion to fund what were described as welfare "flexibilities" out of the Stormont budget. | |
| 'Dragging on' | |
| However, other negotiators said the situation remained complex and there was still no agreement on any such cushion. | |
| In a statement on Thursday evening, the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said his government remained committed to "securing a comprehensive agreement acceptable to all parties". | |
| The leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice, Jim Allister, claimed the talks were only dragging on because none of the parties want to be seen to walk away. | |
| The cross-party talks, convened by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers, have been going on for the past 10 weeks. | The cross-party talks, convened by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers, have been going on for the past 10 weeks. |