Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness today defended a new cross-border autism centre against claims it was the latest step towards a united Ireland.

Republicans are happy to listen to Unionist arguments about why Northern Ireland should remain in the United Kingdom, but believe that support for Irish unity is growing every day, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams claimed tonight.

Ulster Unionist Minister Michael McGimpsey has claimed negotiations are moving "inexorably" towards cementing the peace process but said the IRA’s current position was not yet enough.