SF: Little hope of breakthrough at talks

There is little likelihood of a breakthrough in the Northern Ireland peace process at next Monday's crucial talks at Hillsborough, according to Sinn Fein.

They say although the meeting involving the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister in Belfast will be intensive, matters will not be "magically" resolved.

The Sinn Fein leadership is in London today for private talks with Senior British officials, and intensive negotiations are to continue through the weekend.

Party chairman Mitchel McLaughlin says the governments are aware of what the position of Republicans is.

"Before there was an agreement and before even there was a negotiation that this process was capable of delivering a scenario where all armed groups go out of existence," he said.

"We have never deviated from that. That remains our decision and I believe if we demonstrate how politics is working and the process is being delivered the there will be a benefit and an impact on armed organisations."