In Belfast, Talks Continue On Devolution

Talks aimed at resolving the Northern devolution impasse were again under way at Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast as we went to press on Monday

DUP leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness returned to Hillsborough on Monday afternoon.

In the evening, the DUP's Edwin Poots said there had been "considerable advancement": "There has been a considerable amount of work done. I think we are getting to know where the bottom lines are here, and I think it is absolutely necessary that we have total clarity and certainty both on policing and justice, and on the parades issue."

But he said he wanted an unambiguous deal that "every Ulster man and woman" could understand.

"There can be a deal but it can only be on the basis of respect and equality. Some people think they can ride roughshod over the DUP, that they are going to bully them and bully the unionist people...that's not going to happen."

Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy, asked if "a deal was on", said: "Not as yet, it's not on.  I hope that that changes over the coming hours, and we will certainly remain focused to try to achieve that, but unfortunately to date, a deal is not yet on."

Mr Murphy added: "If there is a possibility of a deal, we will pursue that, but at some stage we will have to call whether the DUP are capable or willing to do the business or not."

Sinn Féin and the DUP have been arguing for months over the timing and circumstances of the transfer of policing and justice powers to Belfast.

The gap between the two parties is believed to be getting smaller with the talks focusing on the "fine details".

Sinn Féin wants the powers transferred immediately, while the DUP has said that can only happen when there is "community confidence" among unionists.

The largest unionist party said that confidence could be built through a deal on how to resolve the parading issue.

However, republicans have maintained that devolution should not depend on agreement on parading.

Before the talks began on Monday deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said that "significant progress" has been made in the talks.

He added that he wanted to move forward on the basis of partnership and equality between nationalists and unionists.

Mr McGuinness said: "I am happy to say we have made significant progress. Institutions which don't deliver are worthless and something I will not be involved in.

"I now hope we have a basis upon which nationalists, republicans, unionists and loyalists will move forward together on the basis of partnership and equality

"There is no other realistic or viable path available."

He also said that people had the right to a proper policing service, the right to institutions which deliver, the right to see poverty tackled.

"These talks were about equality. It was about rights. Your rights, my rights, our rights," he added.

"These are not negotiable. They are entitlements."

The talks represent the longest period of sustained negotiations since the peace process began in the 1990s.