Intensive efforts to achieve a breakthrough in the North’s peace process were due to continue today as Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionists try to bridge the remaining gaps between them.

Politicians in Northern Ireland were today anxiously waiting to learn if there will be moves over the next five days involving unionists and republicans to secure a pre-Christmas Assembly election.

Politicians in Northern Ireland were tonight anxiously waiting to learn if there will be moves over the next five days involving unionists and republicans to secure a pre-Christmas Assembly election.