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| Stormont talks: NI secretary says not all parties on board for agreement | Stormont talks: NI secretary says not all parties on board for agreement |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The secretary of state says he is "deeply disappointed" that the Stormont parties are not yet in agreement on how to restore devolution. | The secretary of state says he is "deeply disappointed" that the Stormont parties are not yet in agreement on how to restore devolution. |
| Julian Smith was speaking after a meeting involving the five party leaders and the tánaiste Simon Coveney. | |
| He said the two governments had wanted to table a text of agreement on Thursday night, but that "not all parties are on board". | He said the two governments had wanted to table a text of agreement on Thursday night, but that "not all parties are on board". |
| Both governments singled out the DUP, asking it to reflect on its position. | |
| Northern Ireland has been without devolved government since January 2017. | Northern Ireland has been without devolved government since January 2017. |
| "We are very close to being able to table a text of agreement and compromise," said Mr Smith. | "We are very close to being able to table a text of agreement and compromise," said Mr Smith. |
| "I wanted to do it tonight or tomorrow. I believe if we could table a text we could be back in the assembly on Monday. | "I wanted to do it tonight or tomorrow. I believe if we could table a text we could be back in the assembly on Monday. |
| "There are a number of outstanding issues, but they are extremely limited." | "There are a number of outstanding issues, but they are extremely limited." |
| He added: "But unfortunately we do not have all parties on board, so the judgement I have made is that we should not table text. | He added: "But unfortunately we do not have all parties on board, so the judgement I have made is that we should not table text. |
| "We will allow all parties to reflect on the impact of that decision on people in Northern Ireland who are deeply affected by the lack of decision making at Stormont." | "We will allow all parties to reflect on the impact of that decision on people in Northern Ireland who are deeply affected by the lack of decision making at Stormont." |
| The tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney said if there is a change of approach from the DUP this evening, a deal can still be reached before Christmas. | The tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney said if there is a change of approach from the DUP this evening, a deal can still be reached before Christmas. |
| But he warned that the governments would not bring parties back on Friday to "waste their time". | But he warned that the governments would not bring parties back on Friday to "waste their time". |
| "We are at a place where the two governments within hours could produce a text - a fair compromise," he said. | "We are at a place where the two governments within hours could produce a text - a fair compromise," he said. |
| The governments say devolution must be restored by 13 January 2020, or the secretary of state will call a fresh assembly election. | The governments say devolution must be restored by 13 January 2020, or the secretary of state will call a fresh assembly election. |
| Mr Smith said he hoped the parties would find time tonight to reflect, and made a plea to the DUP. | Mr Smith said he hoped the parties would find time tonight to reflect, and made a plea to the DUP. |
| "I know there are people in the DUP who want to move forward and I would urge them to move forward so we can get this done." | "I know there are people in the DUP who want to move forward and I would urge them to move forward so we can get this done." |
| 'Have courage and lead' | |
| Alliance Party leader Naomi Long described it as a "disappointing end" to the week, and said the parties needed to come back after Christmas and get a deal over the line. | |
| "I believe a deal could be done now, real progress has been made - unfortunately not all of the parties agree that is the case," she said. | |
| "People now need to have the courage and lead, rather than simply wait for others." | |
| SDLP deputy leader Nichola Mallon said her party would continue its commitment with the talks, but said it was difficult to point to a particular stumbling block. | |
| "It's unfortunate the DUP don't feel they are in that space (to get a deal)... but we would encourage them, we will still be here and it is possible to do a deal before Christmas," she said. | |
| Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken said his party would be ready with their "phones on" over Christmas to restore devolution. | |
| "It would be interesting if we knew what the DUP's legitimate concerns were," he said. | |
| "All five parties need to be involved." |