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DUP blamed for holding up Stormont compromise deal DUP blamed for holding up Stormont compromise deal
(32 minutes later)
Northern Ireland secretary ‘bitterly disappointed’ with failure to revive assemblyNorthern Ireland secretary ‘bitterly disappointed’ with failure to revive assembly
The British and Irish governments have blamed the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) for holding up a compromise deal to revive Northern Ireland’s dormant assembly.The British and Irish governments have blamed the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) for holding up a compromise deal to revive Northern Ireland’s dormant assembly.
Julian Smith, the Northern Ireland secretary, said on Thursday evening he was “bitterly disappointed” and that talks would probably be paused over Christmas to give all parties time to “reflect” before trying again in January.Julian Smith, the Northern Ireland secretary, said on Thursday evening he was “bitterly disappointed” and that talks would probably be paused over Christmas to give all parties time to “reflect” before trying again in January.
“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,” he said.“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,” he said.
Smith said the lack of consensus stopped him tabling a motion to restore power-sharing at Stormont, the assembly that collapsed three years ago in a dispute between the DUP and Sinn Féin.Smith said the lack of consensus stopped him tabling a motion to restore power-sharing at Stormont, the assembly that collapsed three years ago in a dispute between the DUP and Sinn Féin.
“We are very close to being able to table a text of agreement and compromise. 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.” “We are very close to being able to table a text of agreement and compromise. 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.”
Smith alluded to a nurses’ strike and fraying public services, which have been blamed on the political void in Northern Ireland. “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.”Smith alluded to a nurses’ strike and fraying public services, which have been blamed on the political void in Northern Ireland. “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.”
Both governments shepherded the DUP and Sinn Féin plus three smaller parties – Alliance, SDLP and the Ulster Unionists – to Stormont this week with the aim of restoring devolution before a 13 January deadline. Both governments shepherded the DUP and Sinn Féin plus three smaller parties – the Alliance, SDLP and the Ulster Unionists – to Stormont this week with the aim of restoring devolution before a 13 January deadline.
Simon Coveney, the Irish foreign minister, said a potential deal was very close but that there would be no talks on Friday unless the DUP had an overnight change of heart. “We are at a place where the two governments within hours could produce a text - a fair compromise,” he said. Simon Coveney, the Irish foreign minister, said a potential deal was very close but that there would be no talks on Friday unless the DUP had an overnight change of heart. “We are at a place where the two governments within hours could produce a text – a fair compromise,” he said.
The DUP made no immediate statement and it was unclear what was the source of contention. Speculation focused on an Irish language act and a veto mechanism that allows the DUP and Sinn Féin to block legislation. The DUP made no immediate statement and it was unclear what was the source of contention. Speculation focused on an Irish language bill and a veto mechanism that allows the DUP and Sinn Féin to block legislation.
Naomi Long, the Alliance party leader, said she was disappointed, adding that the parties needed to try again after Christmas. “I believe a deal could be done now, real progress has been made – unfortunately not all of the parties agree that is the case. People now need to have the courage and lead, rather than simply wait for others.” Naomi Long, the Alliance party leader, said she was disappointed, adding that the parties needed to try again after Christmas. “I believe a deal could be done now, real progress has been made – unfortunately not all of the parties agree that is the case. People now need to have the courage and lead rather than simply wait for others.”