Bush envoy 'optimistic' about prospects for North deal

The Bush administration's special envoy to the North has expressed optimism about the prospects for restoring devolution in the near future.

Speaking to the BBC this morning, Mitchell Reiss said he was "very optimistic" that a power-sharing government could be restored, but it was up to the local political parties to set a timetable for the move.

Mr Reiss made the comments ahead of a meeting tomorrow with the leadership of the Democratic Unionist Party, which is refusing to accept that the IRA has ended all activity.

The DUP has said it will not even consider sharing power with Sinn Féin until it is satisfied that the IRA is committed to solely peaceful means.