The year-long stalemate in the Northern Ireland peace process may be drawing to a close.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley is expected to hold talks with prime minister Tony Blair today as the push for a final agreement to restore devolution and secure IRA disarmament continues.

The prime minister said yesterday: "I think probably the best thing is for me to say very little. So many times before, hopes have been raised and then dashed that I'm almost fearful of raising them. It's obvious that people would like to get a deal done. Whether that is possible or not, the next few days will tell us."

Restoration of the Northern Ireland assembly would see Paisley as first minister and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness as his deputy.

The arms issue however remains crucial.

Paisley declared yesterday: "If this decommissioning problem can be solved, then we are on our way. But it is not solved at the present time."