Stormont talks into crucial final day
The talks at Stormont hit their final day on Thursday, with the 4pm deadline looming.
Last updated 29th Jun 2017
If the parties cannot agree a way to get the power-sharing institutions back up and running, then a form of direct rule could be implemented or another snap election could be called.
Downtown/Cool FM Political Correspondent Jordan Moates has said significant work remains to be done on getting a deal across the line.
"Talks continued late on Wednesday night with the Secretary of State James Brokenshire flying back from London," he said.
"Three words are holding up this agreement at the minute - 'Irish Language Act.'
"Sinn Féin is insisting on a standalone act, but the DUP would prefer it to be a bit wider under the banner of something like a culture act.
"There was consternation on Wednesday evening when it became apparent the Irish government was backing Sinn Féin's position.
"The DUP claimed Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney was essentially backing one side over the other and that he has undermined his neutrality in this process.
"Thursday afternoon's deadline still stands and an executive must be in place by 4pm.
"However there were suggestions late on Wednesday that there could be another extension into next week."