Cameron to join Kenny in Stormont talks

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will be joined in Belfast this afternoon by British Prime Minister David Cameron, as the leaders seek to intervene in a process now in its ninth week.

The participants are set for a long night of negotiations with further discussions scheduled for tomorrow.

As well as long-standing wrangles over flags, parades and the toxic legacy of the past, the five parties in the power-sharing coalition are trying to reach consensus on budgetary problems facing the devolved institutions, particularly the impasse over the non-implementation of the UK government’s welfare reforms in the North.

The structures and governance arrangements at Stormont are also on the agenda.

Enda Kenny said he was cautiously optimistic that an agreement could be concluded.

“While recognising the complex and difficult issues to be addressed, the parties have engaged constructively and with a renewed effort, an agreement could be reached which would offer a brighter future for the people of Northern Ireland,” he said.

Tánaiste Joan Burton, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan, and Minister of State Sean Sherlock will also travel to Belfast for the talks process.

David Cameron has pledged to push hard for a political deal in the North ahead of his arrival in the region to lead the final phase of the latest cross-party talks process.

The British Prime Minister said he was determined to do everything he could to resolve the disputes that are creating instability at Stormont.

Mr Cameron is certain to face calls from the region’s politicians to offer more funds to help secure peace process gains.

Democratic Unionist First Minister Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have both set the weekend as an effective deadline for a deal.

Both men have conceded the chances of securing agreement after Christmas would be limited due to the inevitable hardening of political positions in the run up to the UK general election.