TALKS DEADLINE IS SHIFTED, BUT CAN A DEAL BE DONE?
SUZANNE BREEN ON THE PROSPECTS FOR A BREAKTHROUGH BROKENSHIRE GIVES PARTIES ANOTHER DAY
THE Secretary of State has set a new deadline of tonight for a deal between the DUP and Sinn Fein to restore power-sharing.
James Brokenshire (below) had previously warmed that if an agreement wasn’t reached by Monday, October 30, he would move to introduce a budget for Northern Ireland at Westminster this week.
But late last night, he intervened to extend the deadline by 24 hours in light of progress that had been made by the two parties at the Stormont talks yesterday.
The DUP and Sinn Fein both remained tight-lipped about any developments towards a compromise.
DUP sources told the Belfast Telegraph that the parties had agreed “not to provide a running commentary” in order to increase the chances of a deal. But they acknowledged that “gaps” still existed between their party and Sinn Fein.
The Secretary of State and Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney were locked in talks all day as they attempted to nudge the parties towards a compromise.
In his statement last night, Mr Brokenshire said the government needs to consider “additional requests” which have been made.
“The parties have made further progress during the course of today,” he said.
“They are making certain additional requests of the UK Government which we need to consider.
“In the light of this, I believe it is right to defer the assessment on whether to introduce legislation to Parliament this week to enable an executive to be formed.
“The parties will recommence talks in the morning and I will reassess the position tomorrow night.”
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, vice-president Mary Lou McDonald and TD Pearse Doherty joined the party’s Northern Ireland leader Michelle O’Neill and MLA Conor Murphy (bottom) for the Stormont negotiations.
Mr Murphy said that while his party wanted an agreement with the DUP to restore devolution it “needs to be a deal for all in our society and not just for the political leaderships of unionism”.
He added: “If the political institutions are to be sustainable then they must be restored on the basis of equality, rights and respect.
“That requires an end to the DUP’s denial of rights citizens enjoy everywhere else on these islands, language rights, marriage rights and the right to a coroner’s court.” Alliance leader Naomi Long called on the British government to reduce MLAs salaries by 30% if Sinn Fein and the DUP failed to reach a deal.
Speaking as the smaller parties at Stormont met to discuss the lack of openness and transparency in the negotiations, she expressed dismay at the continuing political stalemate.
“It seems inevitable that direct rule in terms of setting a budget will occur. It is now time for the two governments to take control of the process,” she said.
“Sinn Fein and the DUP have had the opportunity to resolve their differences and have failed to do so.
“We now need an intensive phase of discussions involving all the parties to reach a decisions conclusion either way.”
UUP MLA Doug Beattie said the lack of political progress left him feeling ashamed. “People are understandably angry that MLAs continue to be paid despite the lack of agreement,” he said.
“Some of us want to do the job but are unable to because the DUP and Sinn Fein leaderships can’t reach a deal. People deserve government and if devolution can’t be restored then that will have to be through direct rule.”
Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokesman said the government was still working with the parties on reaching an agreement.
“We have had progress but there are still significant gaps which remain and we continue to work with them to overcome these,” he said.
“You can expect James Brokenshire to update Parliament later this week on how that is progressing.”