Clinton to address NI politicians

Hillary Clinton will give an address to the Northern Ireland Assembly

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Belfast for meetings with Northern Ireland's political leaders.

On Sunday she met Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Irish counterpart Brian Cowen as part of her Europe tour.

She said the "essential milestone" of transferring policing and justice powers to Stormont was "within reach".

The financing of the deal has been a major sticking point in recent weeks, with a series of intensive talks held between Mr Brown and NI's leaders.

After more discussions at Downing Street on Thursday, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein said all sides were "on the cusp of agreement".

First Minister Peter Robinson of the DUP said recent negotiations with the prime minister had won "millions of pounds" more for the policing and justice budget.

Speaking in Dublin on Sunday, Mrs Clinton said: "Clearly there are questions and some apprehensions, but I believe that due to the concerted effort of the British government, Irish government and support of friends like us in the US, that the parties understand this is a step they must take together.

"It will take the leaders of both communities working together to continue not only the devolution but then to make day-to-day governing a reality, and I'm confident that that is within reach."

Looking ahead to her address to the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday morning, she said: "I will certainly provide as much encouragement and support as I can."

Announcing the visit earlier this month, Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said Mrs Clinton wanted to "help look at the jobs, opportunities and investment that America can bring to Northern Ireland".

Coinciding with her visit, US software company NaviNet announced its new £4.4m research centre in Belfast would create 60 jobs over three years.