The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meeting planned for Armagh on Friday was postponed so that talks aimed at safeguarding the future of the Northern Executive and Assembly could continue at Stormont.
The British and Irish governments and the North’s five main parties were unable to conclude a political deal on Thursday.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan, who had to return to Dublin last night for an event marking the 30th anniversary of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, said he and Labour Minister of State Seán Sherlock would be back at Stormont for more talks on Friday.
Confirming the postponement of the council meeting that Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Dáil and Northern Executive Ministers were due to attend in Armagh, the office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister indicated an expectation a deal would be done.
Hopeful
“The NSMC in Armagh tomorrow has been postponed to allow the political talks which are at an advanced stage to reach a conclusion,” said a spokesman.
Some talks sources, however, said such were the gaps still to be closed that it could take until next week to determine whether agreement can be reached.Mr Flanagan remained hopeful a deal. "Encouraging and steady progress continues to be made in the political talks at Stormont," he said yesterday.
“I encourage all the parties to continue their positive engagement in this important process and remain hopeful that a positive outcome can be achieved,” Mr Flanagan added.
One of the main obstacles still to be overcome, according to talks sources, is what the British government will be prepared to divulge in relation to Troubles-related killings involving British state forces.
