Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Minister calls on MLAS to broker a deal in 2 weeks
Discussions to start next week to end impasse Bradley urges ‘rapid progress’ to broker deal MLAS facing salary cut over political logjam
ASSEMBLY members are facing a wage cut if new Stormont talks fail to make “rapid progress”, they were warned yesterday.
Secretary of State Karen Bradley added without a breakthrough the Government will have to make “significant decisions” on setting the 2018/19 budget, the future of MLA pay and the prospect of another poll.
Last month proposals were made to cut the MLA salary from £49,500 to £35,888 amid the political deadlock.
Mrs Bradley’s warning came as she set a date of next Wednesday for new talks aimed at restoring devolution.
However, her statement did not set deadlines for specific goals.
She said: “Initially, these talks will focus on gaining clarity of understanding on the progress that was made over the last seven months on a range of issues, including formation of the Executive and what are known as legacy issues. Progress must be swift.
“It is clear that Northern Ireland needs strong devolved government and political leadership.
DIFFICULTIES
“The people of Northern Ireland cannot continue to have their public services suffer by the lack of an Executive and without ministers making the key policy and budget decisions.
“Without an Executive, Northern Ireland’s voice on critical issues will not be heard as strongly. I will be updating Parliament in Westminster no later than February 7 on progress.”
Mrs Bradley added there were still “significant difficulties to overcome” but she believed a deal is possible.
Northern Ireland has been without an Executive for more than a year.
The DUP/SINN Fein-led coalition imploded in a row over a botched green energy scheme but the rift between the two main parties widened to take in cultural and legacy disputes.
Proposals to protect Irish language speakers, the ban on same-sex marriage and a lack of consensus on how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles remain key areas of disagreement.
Sinn Fein’s participation in the talks had been in doubt, with it insisting it would not take part if there was not a new dynamic. The party’s Stormont leader Michelle O’neill confirmed it would engage after holding a meeting with Mrs Bradley at Stormont yesterday. She said the anticipated time frame for the negotiations was two weeks.
Mrs O’neill added: “We are determined to find a resolution that sees the institutions restored and delivering rights for all citizens. “Credible, sustainable institutions can only be based on equality, respect and genuine partnership government. I told Karen Bradley the British Government is not a neutral and impartial player and there must be a change of approach on her part.”
MLA and former DUP Minister Simon Hamilton welcomed the announcement of fresh negotiations.
He said: “I think it is now incumbent on all of us to get round the table and build on the progress that has been made to date, get devolution up and running again so local ministers can take decisions that matter to the people of Northern Ireland.”
The Republic’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney added all parties were “very conscious of the time pressures”.
He said: “I think we are talking about weeks rather than months here.” The Secretary of State was later forced to clarify remarks she made about the DUP’S confidence and supply deal with the Tories.
She had indicated the release of the £1billion earmarked for the country as part of that agreement was dependent on power-sharing.
She said: “A budget that’s going to be administered needs ministers to administer it. It needs Stormont to do it.”
However, Mrs Bradley later added her comments on the £1billion had been “possibly clumsy”, insisting the
Government acknowledged the unique circumstances here and while the preference was for devolved ministers to administer the money, it would not be held back if Stormont does not return. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said while he welcomed the new talks, it must be different to the process of the last 12 months.
He added: “We will give it a fair wind.
“But I would not criticise anybody for thinking this was deja-vu and asking, ‘What has actually changed?”’