Hain holds talks as countdown to power-sharing begins

NORTHERN Ireland Secretary Peter Hain will hold new talks in Belfast today as a two-week countdown begins to the deadline for restoring power-sharing in the North.

With British Chancellor Gordon Brown also expected to feature in the next fortnight as the parties seek to negotiate a package of up to £1 billion to run the new devolved administration, Mr Hain is meeting Sinn Féin chiefs Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness. Their discussions at Stormont will undoubtedly cover the burning question of whether Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists are prepared to agree to a coalition government with republicans by March 26.

Both the DUP and Sinn Féin strengthened their positions with resounding triumphs in last week’s elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly.