Northern parties begin second day of talks at St Andrew’s

The Taoiseach and the British prime minister are presiding over a second day of discussions among the North's political parties in Scotland today.

The talks at St Andrew's have been arranged in an effort to get the parties, in particular Sinn Féin and the DUP, to agree a deal on restoring power-sharing before the November 24 deadline.

One of the central issues is whether Sinn Féin will finally end its opposition to the PSNI.

The party has hinted that it is ready to change its stance if policing and justice powers are devolved to a power-sharing executive in Stormont.

However, in order for that to happen, the DUP must end its ongoing refusal to enter government with republicans.

The unionist party says it does not accept the IMC's assessment that the IRA is living up to its commitments to end violence.

It says it still has concerns about criminality by IRA members and the murder of Denis Donaldson.

The DUP also says Sinn Féin's opposition to the PSNI shows it does not support the rule of law.