This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30567922

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
Northern Ireland talks continue through the night Northern Ireland talks meeting is delayed
(about 1 hour later)
Politicians in Northern Ireland have negotiated through the night in a bid to reach a deal on a range of issues affecting power-sharing. There has been a further delay as Northern Ireland politicians attempt to reach agreement at cross-party talks.
The Northern Ireland secretary, who set a deadline of Tuesday morning for a deal, is to hold a round table meeting. Politicians in Northern Ireland have been awaiting a new document from the Northern Ireland Secretary, Theresa Villiers.
She had set a deadline of Tuesday morning for a deal, and was expected to hold a round table meeting at 10:30 GMT, which has been delayed.
The talks on welfare reform, the past, flags and parades have lasted 11 weeks.The talks on welfare reform, the past, flags and parades have lasted 11 weeks.
The parties have spent the last few hours waiting for the government to give them a new Heads of Agreement document covering all the issues. The parties have spent the last few hours waiting for the government to give them a new heads of agreement document covering all the issues.
The BBC's Northern Ireland political editor, Mark Devenport, said one source had suggested the formal round table meeting is planned for 10.30 GMT, with the document due to be presented to parties before that. The BBC's Northern Ireland political editor, Mark Devenport, said it was expected that any agreement would focus mainly on financial issues, welfare reform and dealing with the legacy of the Troubles.
'Shambles' Alliance MLA Stephen Farry told the BBC's Nolan Show that the flags issue has "not been discussed in any meaningful way" and that unionist parties have not been "willing to negotiate" on parades because of the dispute in Ardoyne, north Belfast.
The reporter said it was expected that any agreement would focus mainly on financial issues, welfare reform and dealing with the legacy of the Troubles.
Alliance MLA Stephen Farry told the BBC's Nolan Show that the flags issue has "not been discussed in any meaningful way" and that unionist parties have not been "willing to negotiate" on parades because of the Ardoyne dispute in north Belfast.
Earlier, some of the negotiators used their Twitter accounts to express their frustration about the length of time the talks have taken.Earlier, some of the negotiators used their Twitter accounts to express their frustration about the length of time the talks have taken.
The Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott tweeted: "Such a shambles - told government paper would be ready at 1am, then it was 2am, then 3am, it's now 7am and still waiting and waiting." The Ulster Unionist MLA, Tom Elliott, tweeted: "Such a shambles - told government paper would be ready at 1am, then it was 2am, then 3am, it's now 7am and still waiting and waiting."
At about 06:30 GMT, Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly tweeted: "Release the Sinn Féin Ten from negotiations. It's nearly Christmas!"At about 06:30 GMT, Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly tweeted: "Release the Sinn Féin Ten from negotiations. It's nearly Christmas!"
Mark Durkan, from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) told his Twitter followers that there was "consensus for fresh tea and coffee" at about 06:30 GMT but they would have to "wait and see for fresh thinking".Mark Durkan, from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) told his Twitter followers that there was "consensus for fresh tea and coffee" at about 06:30 GMT but they would have to "wait and see for fresh thinking".
Overnight, it became clear that while the UK government has improved its latest financial offer, it is not keen to write off more than £200m in fines, imposed by the Treasury due to the delay in implementing welfare reform in Northern Ireland.Overnight, it became clear that while the UK government has improved its latest financial offer, it is not keen to write off more than £200m in fines, imposed by the Treasury due to the delay in implementing welfare reform in Northern Ireland.
Point of contentionPoint of contention
The five Northern Ireland Executive parties and the UK and Irish governments have been involved in weeks of negotiations at Stormont Castle but the talks have intensified over the past few days. The five Northern Ireland executive parties and the UK and Irish governments have been involved in weeks of negotiations at Stormont Castle but the talks have intensified over the past few days.
A Stormont source has told the BBC that while the financial aspect of the talks might change marginally, the main point of contention appeared to be related to the legacy of the Troubles.A Stormont source has told the BBC that while the financial aspect of the talks might change marginally, the main point of contention appeared to be related to the legacy of the Troubles.
In particular, disagreements have continued over the remit of new agencies being created to deal with legacy issues.In particular, disagreements have continued over the remit of new agencies being created to deal with legacy issues.
There is also believed to be disagreement over whether outstanding inquests into contentious killings are held in court or subsumed into what will be known as the Historic Investigations Unit.There is also believed to be disagreement over whether outstanding inquests into contentious killings are held in court or subsumed into what will be known as the Historic Investigations Unit.
'Key issue''Key issue'
Alliance Party leader David Ford told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme: "It has been well reported that we have made significant progress around budget, especially welfare issues, although there may be one or two loose ends to tie up there. Alliance leader David Ford told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme: "It has been well reported that we have made significant progress around budget, especially welfare issues, although there may be one or two loose ends to tie up there.
"The key issue that we really have to do something about is dealing with the past, to provide some comfort to victims who have waited for so long to something to be agreed, and to deal with the issues that are currently causing major problems for the justice system." "The key issue that we really have to do something about is dealing with the past, to provide some comfort to victims who have waited for so long for something to be agreed, and to deal with the issues that are currently causing major problems for the justice system."
Elsewhere, the terms of a new financial package proposed by UK Prime Minister David Cameron have also been a focus of the talks. Elsewhere, the terms of a new financial package proposed by David Cameron have also been a focus of the talks.
'Real money''Real money'
Last week the five executive parties asked the UK government for £2bn in loans and extra funding over a 10-year period. The government later made a £1.5bn offer. Last week, the five executive parties asked the government for £2bn in loans and extra funding over a 10-year period. The government later made a £1.5bn offer.
First Minister Peter Robinson said he believed that there was "real money on the table" from Westminster, but Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: "I have to caution that most of that is loans."First Minister Peter Robinson said he believed that there was "real money on the table" from Westminster, but Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: "I have to caution that most of that is loans."
Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy said progress had been made but the "devil was in the detail".Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy said progress had been made but the "devil was in the detail".
The Northern Ireland Executive still owes more than £214m to the UK Treasury after Northern Ireland failed to implement welfare reforms passed by Westminster in February 2013. The Northern Ireland executive still owes more than £214m to the Treasury after Northern Ireland failed to implement welfare reforms passed by Westminster in February 2013.
The figure is the amount the benefits budget in Northern Ireland should have fallen if welfare reforms had been implemented. The figure is the amount the benefits budget in Northern Ireland should have fallen by, if welfare reforms had been implemented.
The Northern Ireland Executive parties want this written off and Stormont sources said this issue is still under discussion. The Northern Ireland executive parties want this written off and Stormont sources said this issue is still under discussion.