Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Stormont talks ‘at critical stage’
Sinn Fein & DUP meet in private
HOPES of a deal at Stormont were increasing last night with power-sharing talks said to be at “a critical stage”.
Both the DUP and Sinn Fein stayed out of discussions with the British and Irish governments yesterday.
Instead, Westminster and Dublin ministers met the three smaller parties – Ulster Unionists, SDLP and Alliance.
It is believed the DUP leader Arlene Foster met Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’neill and incoming party president Mary Lou Mcdonald elsewhere in Parliament Buildings.
The broad outline of an agreement is thought to already be in place though no one has signed up yet.
Stormont imploded last January amid the cash-for-ash fiasco. That rift widened to take in disputes over culture, social issues and legacy.
The main sticking point preventing restoration is the Irish language. Sinn Fein want a stand-alone piece of legislation to protect speakers but the DUP has long insisted it would only countenance new laws if they also incorporate Ulster Scots.
According to sources, Secretary of State Karen Bradley said she understood the smaller parties were frustrated with the turn of events, to which UUP leader Robin Swann apparently replied he was not there for a “counselling session”.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood is understood to have told Mrs Bradley she had his number and to give him a call when she intended on having “inclusive” talks.
A UUP source said: “Sinn Fein and the DUP are clearly running these talks and the two governments are just bystanders.”
Talks are unlikely to continue through the weekend as Sinn Fein is holding a special party conference in Dublin today to formally select Ms Mcdonald as Gerry Adams’ successor as president.
The DUP is also traditionally averse to doing business on Sunday.