DUP claims Sinn Fein is blocking efforts to tackle social problems
Sinn Fein intransigence is preventing Northern Ireland politicians from dealing with growing problems in health, education and the economy, the Democratic Unionists have claimed.
The DUP responded to criticism levelled by the republican party that they are the ones halting the formation of powersharing administration.
In the latest tit-for-tat round of the blame game, senior DUP member Simon Hamilton said the executive should be formed immediately, with a parallel process instigated to deal with the outstanding issues at the heart of the political rift, such as the Irish language and the ban on same sex marriage.
Talks between the parties were postponed for the summer after they failed to reach agreement.
The political impasse between the parties has left the region without a first and deputy first minister since January and a functioning executive since March.
On Sunday, Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader Michelle O’neill wrote to the UK and Irish governments and leaders of other political parties in Northern Ireland calling for negotiations to resume on Monday, 28 August. Mrs O’neill said she did not believe there was a need or public appetite for drawn-out discussions. Mr Hamilton branded the Sinn Fein move a “stunt”.