British negotiators and the IRA-allied Sinn Fein party held their longest discussions yet Tuesday, injecting hope into long-stalled Northern Ireland talks.

British government minister Michael Ancram and Sinn Fein deputy leader Martin McGuinness spent three hours exploring ways to resolve conflicting demands for multiparty talks and IRA disarmament.

A chicken-and-egg debate on whether weapons disposal or talks should come first has bedeviled peacemaking efforts for months.

But Britain and Sinn Fein are trying to reach a compromise for the party to participate in an international commission on the weapons issue if Britain sets a date for multiparty negotiations.