Deal may restore Assembly

PROGRESS made in recent negotiations is expected to pave the way to a deal being struck tonight to restore the North’s political institutions

Reports have suggested the IRA may be considering an act of decommissioning in a bid to restore the suspended Assembly, and a republican source has claimed supporters are preparing for acts of completion.

But crucial talks today between the Taoiseach and British Prime Minister and the political parties in Belfast aimed at getting the peace process back on track will go right down to the wire.

Observers viewed Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness speech at a republican commemoration in south Armagh yesterday as a sign that there is going to be a significant move.

Mr McGuinness told supporters that some progress had been made in tough behind-the-scenes talks with the British Government.

"Some movement has emerged, particularly around a British Government commitment to new legislation on policing and criminal justice," he said.

Mr McGuinness also hit out at Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble, who suggested sanctions should be imposed on Sinn Féin if the IRA indulged in paramilitary activity.

Mr Trimble claimed the IRA must decommission its weapons and declare its war is over before Sinn Féin can return to government.

He told his party's annual meeting that devolution cannot be reinstated unless the IRA goes away.

"Their acts must start with proper, open decommissioning and continue with saying the war is over and ensuring that it will not start again the IRA does have to go away. The onus is on them.

"They know what has to be done. The time for talk is drawing to an end," he said.

Amid speculation that a major breakthrough might be imminent, the Taoiseach said at the weekend that while solid progress had been made to date, the process was now at a crucial stage.

"All of the parties to the Agreement must fulfil their obligations. For all concerned, there are big decisions to be made and big steps to be taken. I do not underestimate the difficulties that people face."

With British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr Ahern said he would put proposals to the parties today.

"I hope, for the sake of the future of all of the people of these islands, that we will succeed and that we will find a way forward," he said.

Northern Secretary of State Paul Murphy said last night that there was a lot to be hopeful about and he was convinced that the parties were ready to make progress.

"There is everything to play for and I think if people get together and talk about going forward and not looking backwards, there is a possibility a very strong possibility that we can deal with those issues positively in the days ahead of us," he said.

"There is a lot to be hopeful about," he added.