Sinn Fein pose outside the talks

Northern Ireland Peace Talks Resume

Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam said there was a "window of opportunity" if the talks process could be got moving, but warned of the consequences of failure. "If the talks do not move on to the substantive issues in the near future, they will lose credibility and we will defer - and perhaps lose - the best opportunity for a generation of securing a widely acceptable political accommodation." Dr Mowlam said.

Referring to Labour's plans for Devolution in Scotland and Wales, Dr Mowlam went on: "The quickening pace of constitutional reform throughout the rest of the UK provides a positive context in which to make real progress. We must pick up the necessary momentum now."

Mowlam: Window of opportunity

Mowlam: Pressing for IRA ceasefire

Earlier, she had stressed that if Sinn Fein were to be admitted to the negotiations, there would have to be a "meaningful" IRA ceasefire.

"That window doesn't stay open for ever. The peace train will start out from the station. We hope it is inclusive with all political parties on the train but if they are not, the train is going anyway. We are not going to hang around," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Senator George Mitchell

The American chairman of the talks, Senator George Mitchell, also called for a new sense of urgency from those involved. He said he believed an opportunity existed to make progress, following the election of a new Government.

"There is a chance here to move forward that didn't previously exist. I hope very much all concerned will recognise this and act upon it," he said.

Sinn Fein is banned from the multi-party talks because of the IRA's refusal to restore the ceasefire and its delegation was refused entry when it turned up at the venue for the talks, Castle Buildings, Stormont.

Adams: Double standards

The party's leader, Gerry Adams, accused both London and Dublin of applying double standards.

"The two governments cannot escape their responsibilities in this. So far what change has occurred has come about through the determination and courage of ordinary citizens," he said.

"It is not good enough for the British and Irish governments to say that the onus is on Sinn Fein, or to excuse the actions of British forces, or turn a blind eye to the actions of Loyalists. Clearly there are double standards," insisted Mr Adams.

Sinn Fein was not the only party absent from Stormont. Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley was attending the funeral of an RUC officer beaten to death at the weekend.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has urged the constitutional politicians gathering at Stormont to persevere with the talks.

The incoming Moderator, Dr Sam Hutchinson, told the opening of the Presbyterian General Assembly: "Humanly speaking, you are the only hope we have." He told them it was time to be positive.

"Go into the Stormont talks with determination," he said. Northern Ireland was entering a "critical period", he added.

Commenting on the fast approaching height of the marching season he said: "Many decent people are becoming heartily sick of the whole sad spectacle - hence the mass exodus of holiday-makers planned for early July."