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| Northern Ireland talks: Villiers hopeful of '11th hour' deal | Northern Ireland talks: Villiers hopeful of '11th hour' deal |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| The parties are considering Downing Street's response to their request for additional funds. | The parties are considering Downing Street's response to their request for additional funds. |
| Northern Ireland's five executive parties have asked for about £2bn in loans and cash over a 10-year period. | Northern Ireland's five executive parties have asked for about £2bn in loans and cash over a 10-year period. |
| Ms Villiers said the response was "positive and generous", but also reflected the UK's "extremely difficult fiscal situation". | Ms Villiers said the response was "positive and generous", but also reflected the UK's "extremely difficult fiscal situation". |
| She said Downing Street's financial offer also "had to be fair to all parts of the United Kingdom". | She said Downing Street's financial offer also "had to be fair to all parts of the United Kingdom". |
| 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." |
| 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." | 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." |
| Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy said progress had been made and that the party had been in contact with David Cameron over the weekend. | |
| Mr Murphy said he and party colleague Martin McGuinness received the latest paper at noon. | |
| "The devil is in the detail, we have taken the paper away to study it," he said. | |
| "There are gaps to be closed, there is a sense between the parties and governments that that work needs to be done today. | |
| "The five parties are determined to secure the best financial package available." | |
| '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 Mr 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. |