'More clarity' in mammoth talks

DUP Leader Peter Robinson arrivies for negotiations at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down
12 April 2012

There is greater certainty and clarity in efforts to resolve Northern Ireland's mammoth power-sharing talks, the Democratic Unionist Party has said.

Work on a deal, including resolution of controversial loyal order parades, has advanced, party negotiator Edwin Poots added. But it is unlikely there will be an agreement imminently.

This is the sixth day of discussions between the DUP and Sinn Fein and Mr Poots said the gap was narrowing.

"There is considerable advancement. What I said previously was that there would have to be certainty and clarity and there would appear to be greater certainty and clarity than was the case whenever I was speaking to you on Thursday night," he said.

Mr Poots, environment minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said the talks were continuing and some matters needed to be tidied up.

He said: "We want to conclude the business but we want to conclude on the basis that it is sellable to the wider community."

Irish premier Brian Cowen and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown launched the talks on Monday following weeks of negotiations about the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.

They are the longest continuous talks of the peace process which began in 1994.

The key sticking point is a DUP demand for the abolition of the Parades Commission, which adjudicates on contentious marches, and instead leave it to an independent panel, appointed by the office of the First and Deputy First Minister, to arbitrate. But they have also insisted they are open to alternative proposals on parades.

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