13:42

With less than three hours left before the deadline on talks aimed at restoring power sharing government in Northern Ireland Sinn Fein has said it is “make up your mind time” for the Democratic Unionist Party.

Speaking outside Stormont Castle where all-party talks are talking place, Sinn Fein negotiator Conor Murphy claimed the deal in Downing Street on Monday between the DUP and the Tories was colouring the discussions. He said:

The (Conservative) alliance with the DUP has emboldened their anti-rights and anti-equality agenda, has increased their intransigence and that isn’t acceptable or sustainable.

The DUP’s Edwin Poots said “at the time we are not close to an agreement.”

However, Poots suggested that the talks could be extended beyond the 4pm deadline right up until next Monday to allow for discussions leading to an agreement to continue.

There has been no indication from the British government though that there will be an extension of the deadline today - at least so far.

The main bone of contention remains Sinn Fein’s demand for an Irish Language Act which would put gaelic on the same legal par as English throughout Northern Ireland. The DUP opposes a ‘standalone’ Irish Language Act and instead wants legislation that protects the languages and cultures of all communities in the region.