10.00 a.m: The parties begin to arrive. Among the first into the Stormont grounds are Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble and his DUP counterpart, the Rev Ian Paisley. Senator George Mitchell is unacceptable as independent chairman, says Dr Paisley before heading off to Europa Hotel in Belfast city centre to meet the former senator with UK Unionist Party leader Mr Robert McCartney. Mr Trimble holds his counsel.
10.30 - 11 a.m: Dr John Alderdice with his Alliance delegation and the Ulster Democratic Party team led by Mr Gary McMichael make their way past the world's media into Castle Buildings. Mr McMichael says he is prepared for a "long haul".
Noon - 12.30 p.m: SDLP leader Mr John Hume arrives with his delegation which includes MPs Mr Seamus Mallon, Mr Eddie McGrady and Dr Joe Hendron. The Progressive Unionist Party follows.
12.30 - 1 p.m: Representatives of the smaller parties enter Castle Buildings but the media focus is on Sinn Fein. A Sinn Fein motorcade leaves west Belfast and arrives at Stormont at 1 p.m. After a verbal tussle, they proceed to Castle Buildings where they are surrounded by the press pack.
1 - 2 p.m: Mr Martin McGuinness, Ms Siobhan O'Hanlon and Mr Richard McAuley of Sinn Fein are admitted into Castle Buildings where British and Irish officials say Sinn Fein will not be at talks until IRA ceasefire is restored ... Arrivals of Mr John Bruton and Mr John Major ... Mr Trimble tells reporters that the talks will be "bumpy" and that his party is still reserving its position on Senator Mitchell.
2 p.m: Mr McGuinness and Mr Adams want British and Irish officials to tell them before the world's cameras why Sinn Fein is not being allowed "speak for peace on behalf of our 116,377 voters".
2.15 p.m: After brief introductory comments from the Northern Secretary Sir Patrick Mayhew, the British Prime Minister, Mr John Major and the Taoiseach Mr Bruton, address the delegates. Unionists raise points of order during Mr Bruton's speech. The planned broadcasting of the speeches is cancelled. There is a "charged atmosphere", according to Mr Ian Paisley Jnr.
2.30 p.m: Mr Adams - after complaining about the "lack of courtesy" of British and Irish officials in refusing to address Sinn Fein directly outside Castle Buildings - moves from gates of the talks venue and gives a press conference.
3 - 3.40 p.m: Inside, the talks are adjourned briefly and resume under the chairmanship of Sir Patrick to decide issue of chairmanship and the role of Senators Mitchell.
3.40 - 4.30 p.m: Mr Major and Mr Bruton hold a joint press conference in Stormont Castle. Mr Major says he expects that Senator Mitchell will remain as chairman. 5 p.m: Efforts continue to resolve Senator Mitchell's role.
5 - 6 p.m: Mr Trimble, Dr Paisley and Mr McCartney take a break from the talks to tell reporters in a number of separate interviews that they favour the establishment of a special sub committee to deal with the issue of chairman and agenda.
6 - 6.30 p.m: Talks are adjourned. Sir Patrick and the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, embark on a series of bilateral meetings with all the parties . .. Dr Alderdice leaves the meeting, saying: "We are just playing silly procedural games.
6.30 - 7 p.m: Political Development Minister Mr Michael Ancram says the two governments have heard some "strong views" on Senator Mitchell's role in the talks process.
7 - 8 p.m: Dr Conor Cruise O'Brien of Mr McCartney's UK Unionist Party, emerges to say that Senator Mitchell should now consider abandoning his role as chairman.
8 - 9 p.m: SDLP leader Mr John Hume said Senator Mitchell should remain as chairman and the agenda as set down by the British and Irish Governments should be discussed.
8 - 9 p.m: Mr Bob McCartney predicts that Senator Mitchell will be dislodged as chairman. Dr Paisley tells reporters that the two Governments have made a "fatal mistake" in trying to "impose" an agenda and the chairman.
9 - 9.30 p.m: Mr Spring says the Government will not reconsider the way the role of the chairmanship was defined by the two Governments last week.
A senior Government source says that if the unionists will not accept Senator Mitchell as chairman, then they must accept the alternative of the British and Irish governments co chairing the talks.
