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Northern Ireland talks: Villiers hopeful of '11th hour' deal Northern Ireland talks: Villiers hopeful of '11th hour' deal
(about 1 hour later)
The Northern Ireland secretary has said she believes a deal is "still possible" in the cross-party talks ahead of the final day of negotiations. The Northern Ireland secretary has said she believes a deal is "still possible" in the cross-party talks, as the negotiations enter a final day.
Theresa Villiers has hosted 11 weeks of talks in Belfast on flags, parades, the legacy of the Troubles and welfare.Theresa Villiers has hosted 11 weeks of talks in Belfast on flags, parades, the legacy of the Troubles and welfare.
She said the parties would get Downing Street's response to their request for additional funds at 11:00 GMT. The parties are considering Downing Street's response to their request for additional funds.
She said the response was "positive and generous", but also reflected the UK's "extremely difficult fiscal situation". Northern Ireland's five executive parties have asked for about £2bn in loans and cash over a 10-year period.
Ms Villiers said Downing Street's financial offer also "had to be fair to all parts of the United Kingdom". Ms Villiers said the response was "positive and generous", but also reflected the UK's "extremely difficult fiscal situation".
At the end of last week, the five Northern Ireland Executive parties agreed to ask the government for £2bn in loans and extra funding over a 10-year period. She said Downing Street's financial offer also "had to be fair to all parts of the United Kingdom".
'Long day''Long day'
The talks are expected to end on Monday, with or without a deal.The talks are expected to end on Monday, with or without a deal.
The secretary of state told reporters that the negotiators could be heading into a "very long day" at Stormont House.The secretary of state told reporters that the negotiators could be heading into a "very long day" at Stormont House.
"There is still an opportunity here to be grasped. It is very much the 11th hour now but it's not too late, we can potentially still do this.""There is still an opportunity here to be grasped. It is very much the 11th hour now but it's not too late, we can potentially still do this."
However, she added: "I think everyone accepts that we can't go on with this process indefinitely."However, she added: "I think everyone accepts that we can't go on with this process indefinitely."
She also repeated that remarks she made on Sunday evening, when she said it was "make your mind up time" for Northern Ireland's political leaders.She also repeated that remarks she made on Sunday evening, when she said it was "make your mind up time" for Northern Ireland's political leaders.
Ms Villiers said if there was no agreement on Monday, "There isn't going to be one, and the process ends in failure".Ms Villiers said if there was no agreement on Monday, "There isn't going to be one, and the process ends in failure".
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said: "The final day of talks will build on the significant progress made last week, with a view to achieving agreement before Christmas."
'Comprehensive agreement''Comprehensive agreement'
The Northern Ireland first minister and deputy first minister held a conference call with the prime minister at the weekend.The Northern Ireland first minister and deputy first minister held a conference call with the prime minister at the weekend.
First Minister Peter Robinson said the call on Saturday focused on the cross-party talks and financial issues contained in the paper given to David Cameron.First Minister Peter Robinson said the call on Saturday focused on the cross-party talks and financial issues contained in the paper given to David Cameron.
Mr Robinson said he welcomed the prime minister's engagement in "these financial issues this weekend" and looked forward to further discussions on Monday.Mr Robinson said he welcomed the prime minister's engagement in "these financial issues this weekend" and looked forward to further discussions on Monday.
Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the proposals on public finances required "additional financial support and a commitment from the British government to deal with outstanding issues from the Good Friday and other agreements".Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the proposals on public finances required "additional financial support and a commitment from the British government to deal with outstanding issues from the Good Friday and other agreements".
"A comprehensive agreement between the governments and the parties is what is required," he said."A comprehensive agreement between the governments and the parties is what is required," he said.