Stormont parties not ruling out new talks after negotiations collapse

Steven McGivern: The people should be allowed to vote on an Irish Language Act, same-sex marriage and abortion. That would get these issues out of the hands of Sinn Fein and the DUP.

Kevin Connolly: Unionism would lose all three referenda.

Bill Owen: Completely agree, but somehow our politicians don’t like the idea of these issues being put in the hands of Joe Public.

Steven McGivern: Bill, well they would have to live with it — the same way we have had to live without an Executive for the last 13 or so months. Our elected representatives have proven time and time again that they can’t deal with these issues, so put them in the hands of the people.

Christopher McCreery:

Who cares anymore? If they can’t organise themselves to run a country of less than two million, take their power away. Close Stormont, stop government funding for all parties and give the power to Westminster (preferably one man sitting in a room making all the choices). The whole process is a dead duck.

Steph Mills: No, it’s not. There are alternatives, but the DUP and Sinn Fein need to become part of the process, not the leading force. If they can’t do that, they need to go.

Christopher McCreery:

They’ve had 13 months to

sort out their differences. Direct rule is the only logical way forward.

Stuart Bailie: It was the muns. Let’s pull it down, have a fresh election and vote in the same two parties. The voters — and non-voters — are to blame.

Michael Stewart: What right have they to tell the people that we, who gave them their jobs, cannot see the details of this report? They are in the positions they are in because of our votes. Give the people back all the taxpayers’ money you have spent on these ‘talks’ over the past 13 months then. Waste of money. Cut their pay and sack them all.

Trevor Heaslip: Well, if they don’t want to share details of their failed talks, then it has to be straight to direct rule then.

William Shiels: The people elected them. They should demand to know what went on.