On-going discussions resume in Belfast today
Gerry Adams has said he is hopeful a deal can be made in the North, as talks are to resume in Stormont today, between the main political parties.
Speaking to RTÉ News, the Sinn Féin leader said that progress had been made and he is hopeful of a successful conclusion.
Today is the final day of talks, the North's Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has warned.
Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan and the Secretary of State are to lead the discussions with the DUP, Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the UUP and Alliance.
Talks have been on-going since British Prime Minister David Cameron and Taoiseach Enda Kenny visited Stormont earlier this month, in an effort to break a political deadlock in the North.
The parties left Belfast without an agreement being reached.
On Friday, the parties reached what Minister Flanagan called a “significant breakthrough”, when they agreed on a common position for the handling of public finances, for the first time.
But contentious issues still up for discussion include the enduring flag issues, parades and how to address the legacy of the past.
The North’s Government has asked the British Prime Minister to provide a £2billion package over the next decade, to restructure the economy and the peace process.
He is expected to give his answer in the next 24 hours.
This is the first set of negotiations in the North, which has been co-chaired by Cameron and Kenny.
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