14/03/2007
Paisley and Adams discuss deals
The DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams have met with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown in London today.
The separate meetings follow the Northern Ireland Assembly elections last week that saw the DUP and Sinn Fein romp home as the two largest parties in the suspended NI Assembly.
Following his meeting with Mr Blair, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said that the government knew a "real breakthough" was possible.
Earlier Mr Blair had said that the fall in Northern Ireland unemployment was a sign of the changed political landscape in Northern Ireland where he said "bread and butter issues" had predominated in campaigning.
The parties have until March 26 to agree an Assembly or face the sack.
The parties met on Tuesday in the Assembly where the formalities of signing the register and declaring the party alignments republican, unionist or other, were observed by the 108 representatives.
There will be four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP, if the power-sharing executive tier is agreed.
The Assembly has been in suspension since 2002, when allegations of a spy ring emerged. The court case collapsed.
(SP/KMcA)
The separate meetings follow the Northern Ireland Assembly elections last week that saw the DUP and Sinn Fein romp home as the two largest parties in the suspended NI Assembly.
Following his meeting with Mr Blair, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said that the government knew a "real breakthough" was possible.
Earlier Mr Blair had said that the fall in Northern Ireland unemployment was a sign of the changed political landscape in Northern Ireland where he said "bread and butter issues" had predominated in campaigning.
The parties have until March 26 to agree an Assembly or face the sack.
The parties met on Tuesday in the Assembly where the formalities of signing the register and declaring the party alignments republican, unionist or other, were observed by the 108 representatives.
There will be four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP, if the power-sharing executive tier is agreed.
The Assembly has been in suspension since 2002, when allegations of a spy ring emerged. The court case collapsed.
(SP/KMcA)
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