A DEAL was reached to restore power sharing to Northern Ireland today following a historic face-to-face meeting between Gerry Adams and the Reverend Ian Paisley.
The breakthrough came after the Democratic Unionist leader and Sinn Fein president met in the members' dining room in Stormont's Parliament Buildings and agreed to set-up a power-sharing administration on May 8.
Mr Adams and Mr Paisley, who previ
ously negotiated only via third parties, sat a few feet apart across from each other at a table but reportedly did not shake hands.
Mr Paisley said after the hour-long meeting: "This meeting represents an important step on the road to the setting-up of a power-sharing executive in six weeks' time."
The North Antrim MP confirmed that between now and the date of the restoration of devolved government the Assembly parties would be involved in preparatory work to ensure that the power-sharing ministers would be able to hit the ground running.
This would include regular meetings between himself and Martin McGuinness as the de facto First and Deputy First Ministers.
Negotiations would also continue to secure a better financial package for the new power-sharing government from Chancellor Gordon Brown.
Sinn Fein president Mr Adams said the agreement between his party and the DUP marked the beginning of a new era of politics in Ireland.
"The discussions and agreement between our two parties showed the potential of what can now be achieved," the West Belfast MP said. He added: "Sinn Fein is about building a new relationship between orange and green and all the other colours where every citizen can share and have equality of ownership of a peaceful, prosperous and just future.
"There are still many difficulties to be faced but let it be clear - the basis of the agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP follows Ian Paisley's unequivocal and welcome commitment to support and participate fully in the political institutions on May 8."
Mr Adams also confirmed that, as an immediate step, the two parties had asked the British Government not to issue controversial water charges which were due to be posted tomorrow.
In the assembly election earlier this month, the DUP and Sinn Fein emerged as the two largest parties.
The new executive it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.
The landmark meeting took place as the clock counted down on the British Government's devolution deadline of midnight tonight.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said before the meeting: "I've just had news overnight that Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams are meeting for the very first time in their lives - the DUP, the Democratic Unionist Party, and Sinn Fein.
"This is something that defies the word breakthrough, it's never happened before."
Tony Blair's official spokesman added: "This is probably a moment that we will remember.
"I don't want to preempt anything but the whole point of the peace process has been to get to a stage where Northern Ireland politicians meet and decide the future of Northern Ireland."
He said the British Government would not stand in the way of a new consensus on the way forward in Northern Ireland. ."
