Cowen cancels engagements as North deadline approaches

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has cancelled a scheduled engagement in Meath today and has cleared his diary of other meetings, prompting speculation that both he and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown could be poised to return to Hillsborough Castle.

The Taoiseach is understood to have been in constant phone contact with the talks venue and Downing Street throughout the morning.

Amid a visibly heightened security presence in the Co Down town, Alliance Party leader David Ford hinted that the leaders could yet re-enter negotiations in person.

“I think, if you look round this town, you’ll be well aware of the fact that, clearly, there is an expectation of even more happening today than has happened in the last couple of days,” he said during a break from talks.

“The issue is, are the parties in this building going to engage in a manner that merits the involvement of the Taoiseach and Prime Minister for another further day?

“I hope they are. We are certainly committed to making that happen.”

Mr Ford, who is tipped to take on the new justice ministry if the powers are devolved, said he believed a significant breakthrough was within reach.

“It’s clear that, at the beginning of this week, parties recognised that we stood on the brink of failure and they stepped back from that brink.

“Since then, we have seen significant constructive engagement and willingness on the part of parties over the past number of days.

“There is still significant work to be done today but I believe that, if that same willingness continues in the spirit of goodwill, we have the opportunity to create a new beginning for politics in Northern Ireland here today.”