A delegation from Sinn Fein will today hold talks with Northern Ireland's most senior policeman, Hugh Orde.

In what are groundbreaking talks, party president Gerry Adams is expected to discuss plans to scale back security as part of talks to restore devolution.

The Democratic Unionist leader, the Reverend Ian Paisley, is also due to meet the head of Northern Ireland's independent disarmament body, General John de Chastelain.

Paisley is expected to confirm that independent witnesses will be present when the IRA hands over their arsenal within the next few weeks.

Adams told Breakfast with Frost yesterday that "we can get an agreement despite the refusal of Ian Paisley to talk directly to us".

"I think he will do a deal but there is a responsibility on the British government to press ahead with the Irish government on all the outstanding aspects of the agreement," the republican said.