. 2 p.m.: The delegates of nine Northern parties and of the two governments gather in the conference room of Castle Buildings, Stormont. By that time, a Sinn Fein delegation is likely to have been turned away at the gates.
The assembled delegates will he addressed in turn by the British Prime Minister, Mr Major, and the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton. They will formally hand over the proceedings to the Independent Chairman, Senator George Mitchell, who will make his introductory remarks.
The participants will be invited in turn to make a formal declaration of their commitment to the Mitchell principles.
. 3.30 p.m.: Mr Bruton and Mr Major will hold a joint press conference at Stormont Castle.
The plenary session of the talks will continue, discussing first the appointment of a Business Committee, followed by an opportunity for the leaders of each delegation to make opening statements.
Subsequent items on the agenda - discussion of a comprehensive agenda for negotiations, and discussion of the Mitchell proposals on decommissioning - are not expected to be reached today.