An interesting note in the PA report quotes a “talks source” as elsewhere meetings are scheduled to begin and the current Speaker, Eileen Bell, postpones today’s plenary session of the assembly
“With the Assembly due to meet at noon to nominate ministers, the parties are anxious to avoid that taking place because they know the DUP cannot appoint ministers. In fact, if a plenary session does take place, that would not be a good sign.”
From the PA report
A talks source said: “There is a race against time going on now that Peter Hain has set off the clock on devolution.
“It looks like we are going to face a frantic day, full of bilateral, trilateral and multilateral meetings involving the parties in the Assembly.
“It is looking more likely we could see Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams facing each other across the negotiating table in a bid to agree a new power-sharing date. However, a face-to-face meeting is not a done deal.
“With the Assembly due to meet at noon to nominate ministers, the parties are anxious to avoid that taking place because they know the DUP cannot appoint ministers. In fact, if a plenary session does take place, that would not be a good sign.”