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13/10/2006
Progress made on final day at St Andrews
At this afternoon's political talks at St Andrews in Scotland, the British Prime Minister and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern revealed their plans for moving the Northern Ireland political process forward.
The Premiers have set a target date of March 26 2007 for the new Stormont Executive to be up and running.
It is understood that some progress has been made during today's meetings, however the twin stumbling blocks of policing and power sharing still have to be addressed before major steps forward can be taken.
This will be dealt with by all parties following a sequence of steps which will be outlined by both governments.
It was indicated that the first move would come in the form of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams calling a meeting of his national executive to recommend a special party conference on policing.
The DUP would then agree to the election of a shadow first and deputy first minister – on the back of Sinn Fein hold an Ard Fheis and signing the party up to policing.
Democratic Unionist leader the Reverend Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein`s Martin McGuinness would then be appointed in the Assembly as Stormont First and Deputy First Ministers in a shadow mode without exercising real power.
It is thought the parties will be given until November 10 to respond to the plan.
Earlier today, DUP leader Ian paisley said that the situation was an “impasse” and continued by saying that that Sinn Fein were not shifting on their position on policing.
He added that Sinn Fein should not be allowed to “use policing as a bargaining chip.”
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said he believed agreement could be reached.
The UK and Irish governments have given the parties until November 24 to reach a deal on power-sharing, otherwise the the British and Irish governments will take control of power.
(EF/SP)
The Premiers have set a target date of March 26 2007 for the new Stormont Executive to be up and running.
It is understood that some progress has been made during today's meetings, however the twin stumbling blocks of policing and power sharing still have to be addressed before major steps forward can be taken.
This will be dealt with by all parties following a sequence of steps which will be outlined by both governments.
It was indicated that the first move would come in the form of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams calling a meeting of his national executive to recommend a special party conference on policing.
The DUP would then agree to the election of a shadow first and deputy first minister – on the back of Sinn Fein hold an Ard Fheis and signing the party up to policing.
Democratic Unionist leader the Reverend Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein`s Martin McGuinness would then be appointed in the Assembly as Stormont First and Deputy First Ministers in a shadow mode without exercising real power.
It is thought the parties will be given until November 10 to respond to the plan.
Earlier today, DUP leader Ian paisley said that the situation was an “impasse” and continued by saying that that Sinn Fein were not shifting on their position on policing.
He added that Sinn Fein should not be allowed to “use policing as a bargaining chip.”
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said he believed agreement could be reached.
The UK and Irish governments have given the parties until November 24 to reach a deal on power-sharing, otherwise the the British and Irish governments will take control of power.
(EF/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
