A report by Ken Reid for UTV Live on another important day in the peace process at Stormont. The process has now moved into what is described as Substantive Talks, where more important core issues will be discussed. David Trimble is in Washington, but the UUP is represented at the talks, as are the two loyalist paramilitary representatives of the UDP and PUP. David Ervine, Gary McMichael, Martin McGuinness, John Hume and John Alderdice all speak to the press before entering the talks.

Afterwards Ken Magennis discusses how he felt Sinn Fein performed, while Monica McWilliams of the Women's Coalition admits that the atmosphere has often been testy. However, both Mo Mowlam and the Irish government are optimistic at the direction of travel so far.

After the years of trying to start a talks process, which began with the Downing Street Declaration, this was the day on which the parties finally sat down to start tackling the weighty problems before them.

An Ulster Television Production.