Stormont talks between Sinn Fein and DUP in final phase as power sharing deadline looms

David Young

Mr Mackay said the statement of funding policy that governs devolved funding requires that investment bypassing the Barnett formula “should be exceptional”.

It also says that decisions should “be evidencebased, be undertaken in a timely manner, and be considered by Treasury ministers and their counterparts in the devolved administrations to ensure all viewpoints are understood before final decisions are taken”.

Mr Mundell added that he welcomed the call for a review of the deal and was “confident that when it’s reviewed formally it will be absolutely clear that the position the government adopted is fully compliant with the rules”. Sinn Fein has accused the Democratic Unionists of refusing to budge on any of the substantive issues at the heart of Stormont’s powersharing crisis.

Delivering a bleak assessment of the negotiations to restore devolution in Northern Ireland, party chairman Declan Kearney hinted Sinn Fein could drop its opposition to DUP leader Arlene Foster returning as Stormont first minister if the DUP gave ground on other disputes.

Mr Kearney claimed the DUP was not prepared to move on republican demands for a standalone Irish Language Act, the introduction of same sex marriage in Northern Ireland and the introduction of a specific bill of rights for the region.

His comments came after