Menu
27/01/2010
PM Leaves NI Without Deal
Gordon Brown has left Hillsborough Castle after failing to secure a definite deal on the devolution of policing and justice powers to the local Assembly.
He chaired fresh negotiations aimed at saving Northern Ireland's power-sharing institutions before heading back to London this afternoon.
The Prime Minister (pictured) said there was "prospect of a reasonable agreement" within days.
Politicians will have 48-hours to decide on proposals formulated from the intensive talks, which involved both the British and Irish government.
It has been reported that leading figures will reconvene on Friday, with a pre-May date for devolution mooted.
Meanwhile, discussion will continue between Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin and all the Stormont parties.
Martin McGuinness expressed his disappointment that no agreement was reached today.
Mr Brown, and his Irish counterpart Brian Cowen, flew into the province on Monday after justice talks between Stormont's two largest parties broke down.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have so far failed to agree on when the powers should be devolved from Westminster to Belfast.
Republicans want the responsibilities in the hands of Ulster's politicians as soon as possible, while the DUP has insisted unionist "community confidence" must first be established.
Last night's talks adjourned at 6am this morning. All parties were represented at the eventual roundtable discussions.
This morning, a spokesman for Mr Brown said "there is scope for agreement" after a potential resolution was reportedly circulated amongst the main players.
The Irish government insisted "some outstanding issues remain", hinting at the ongoing wrangling over parades issues.
The DUP has clearly stated it wants the Parades Commission, which adjudicates on Orange Order marches, to be dissolved. Sinn Fein supports its continued existence.
DUP Executive minister Edwin Poots had told this morning's BBC Nolan show he thought it was unlikely a deal would be done today.
Failure to agree a way forward could see Sinn Fein pull Martin McGuinness from the office of First and Deputy First Minister, forcing Peter Robinson's resignation.
If either party refused to renominate within seven days the local government would revert to direct rule from London, prompting an early Assembly election.
Mr Brown missed today's Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament, where Harriet Harman deputised.
(PR/GK)
He chaired fresh negotiations aimed at saving Northern Ireland's power-sharing institutions before heading back to London this afternoon.
The Prime Minister (pictured) said there was "prospect of a reasonable agreement" within days.
Politicians will have 48-hours to decide on proposals formulated from the intensive talks, which involved both the British and Irish government.
It has been reported that leading figures will reconvene on Friday, with a pre-May date for devolution mooted.
Meanwhile, discussion will continue between Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin and all the Stormont parties.
Martin McGuinness expressed his disappointment that no agreement was reached today.
Mr Brown, and his Irish counterpart Brian Cowen, flew into the province on Monday after justice talks between Stormont's two largest parties broke down.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have so far failed to agree on when the powers should be devolved from Westminster to Belfast.
Republicans want the responsibilities in the hands of Ulster's politicians as soon as possible, while the DUP has insisted unionist "community confidence" must first be established.
Last night's talks adjourned at 6am this morning. All parties were represented at the eventual roundtable discussions.
This morning, a spokesman for Mr Brown said "there is scope for agreement" after a potential resolution was reportedly circulated amongst the main players.
The Irish government insisted "some outstanding issues remain", hinting at the ongoing wrangling over parades issues.
The DUP has clearly stated it wants the Parades Commission, which adjudicates on Orange Order marches, to be dissolved. Sinn Fein supports its continued existence.
DUP Executive minister Edwin Poots had told this morning's BBC Nolan show he thought it was unlikely a deal would be done today.
Failure to agree a way forward could see Sinn Fein pull Martin McGuinness from the office of First and Deputy First Minister, forcing Peter Robinson's resignation.
If either party refused to renominate within seven days the local government would revert to direct rule from London, prompting an early Assembly election.
Mr Brown missed today's Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament, where Harriet Harman deputised.
(PR/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 January 2010
Justice Talks Enter Crucial 48-Hours
Northern Ireland's political leaders have until tomorrow to present their plans for devolved policing and justice to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Failure by the DUP and Sinn Fein to reach an agreement, or at least a compromise, before Friday will see the British and Irish governments publish their own proposals for a way forward.
Justice Talks Enter Crucial 48-Hours
Northern Ireland's political leaders have until tomorrow to present their plans for devolved policing and justice to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Failure by the DUP and Sinn Fein to reach an agreement, or at least a compromise, before Friday will see the British and Irish governments publish their own proposals for a way forward.
10 September 2008
Brown Belfast Bound To Boost Embattled Executive
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has reportedly planned a stop-off in Northern Ireland next week to meet with the fractured Executive. Downing Street has yet to confirm the details of the visit, but it is expected Mr Brown will touch down in Belfast on Tuesday, when he will meet top Ministers at the devolved Stormont government.
Brown Belfast Bound To Boost Embattled Executive
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has reportedly planned a stop-off in Northern Ireland next week to meet with the fractured Executive. Downing Street has yet to confirm the details of the visit, but it is expected Mr Brown will touch down in Belfast on Tuesday, when he will meet top Ministers at the devolved Stormont government.
26 January 2010
Hillsborough Crisis Talks Resume
Gordon Brown and Irish counterpart Brian Cowen have resumed negotiations with Northern Ireland's political leaders at Hillsborough in a bid to save the fragile power-sharing government. Attempts last night to avert a crisis ended without agreement.
Hillsborough Crisis Talks Resume
Gordon Brown and Irish counterpart Brian Cowen have resumed negotiations with Northern Ireland's political leaders at Hillsborough in a bid to save the fragile power-sharing government. Attempts last night to avert a crisis ended without agreement.
29 January 2010
Clock Ticking On Justice Talks
Northern Ireland's politicians have until this afternoon to broker a compromise on the contentious devolution of policing and justice powers to the Belfast Assembly. Gordon Brown is en route to the province and poised to publish his joint proposals with the Irish government on the matter if agreement is not reached.
Clock Ticking On Justice Talks
Northern Ireland's politicians have until this afternoon to broker a compromise on the contentious devolution of policing and justice powers to the Belfast Assembly. Gordon Brown is en route to the province and poised to publish his joint proposals with the Irish government on the matter if agreement is not reached.
31 January 2005
Prime Minister and Taoiseach meet to discuss way ahead
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will meet in London on Tuesday to discuss the way ahead in the Northern Ireland peace process. The meeting follows separate discussions by both premiers with Sinn Fein and other political parties last week.
Prime Minister and Taoiseach meet to discuss way ahead
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will meet in London on Tuesday to discuss the way ahead in the Northern Ireland peace process. The meeting follows separate discussions by both premiers with Sinn Fein and other political parties last week.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A largely dry evening and night. It will be mostly cloudy, but a few clear spells are possible in the east during the evening. Some patchy rain across the west shortly before dawn. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
