A report by Letitia Fitzpatrick for UTV Live from the talks at Stormont, as several Unionist parties return to the process. With Sinn Fein being allowed to join talks following the IRA's renewed ceasefire, there has been speculation whether the Unionists will join with them while the issue of decommissioning of weapons is still to be resolved.

On this third day of the talks, the UUP and the two parties representing loyalist paramilitaries, the UDP and the PUP, decide to engage with the process. While Trimble claims that he is not there to negotiate with Sinn Fein but to confront them, David Ervine strikes a more conciliatory note, saying, "We're now trying to achieve something better for our children... let the debate begin."

Mo Mowlam welcomes the parties back, as do John Hume and Gerry Adams. For the first time there is now a full spectrum of the political landscape in Northern Ireland gathered together, despite the fact that the DUP and the UKUP continue to boycott the talks in protest against Sinn Fein being invited.

An Ulster Television Production.