NI parties gather in Scotland for power-sharing talks

The North's political parties are gathering in Scotland today for negotiations aimed at restoring power-sharing by the November 24 deadline.

The three-day summit in St Andrew's is being chaired by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, who have warned that it will be the last chance for some time to achieve a breakthrough.

The prospects for progress are uncertain, however, with the DUP still refusing to share power with Sinn Féin, despite the IMC's assessment that the IRA is living up to its promise to end illegal activity.

The unionist party says it still has concerns about criminality by individual IRA members as well as the murder of Denis Donaldson earlier this year.

It also says Sinn Féin's ongoing opposition to the PSNI shows that it does not support the rule of law.

Speaking in Belfast last night, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams rejected the accusation, but gave little hint about whether his party was ready to support the police.

"Republicans are law-abiding people who want a fair and equitable policing and justice system that is transparent and accountable," he said.

"Our support for law and order is not a response to unionist demands. Neither is it a tradable commodity to be retained or given away as part of a deal."