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Stormont talks: Gaps remain as talks continue Stormont talks: Gaps remain as talks continue
(about 4 hours later)
The latest round of talks aimed at breaking almost three years of political deadlock in Northern Ireland are to continue on Friday. The latest round of talks aimed at breaking almost three years of political deadlock in Northern Ireland are continuing on Friday.
Discussions between the five main parties resumed on Thursday after being paused over the Christmas holidays.Discussions between the five main parties resumed on Thursday after being paused over the Christmas holidays.
Devolved government has been inactive since January 2017, when the DUP and Sinn Féin split in a bitter row.Devolved government has been inactive since January 2017, when the DUP and Sinn Féin split in a bitter row.
Parties have until 13 January to reach agreement or a new assembly election could be called.Parties have until 13 January to reach agreement or a new assembly election could be called.
It is understood Friday's discussions will focus on a future programme for government and sustainability of a future executive.It is understood Friday's discussions will focus on a future programme for government and sustainability of a future executive.
Civil servants are also expected to be in attendance.Civil servants are also expected to be in attendance.
In a tweet on Thursday evening Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Coveney said things were moving on but there was "still work to do". Stand-alone act?
Speaking on Friday afternoon Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Steve Aiken said there was the "possibility of achieving a deal" but he was not going to give "any false optimism". Speaking to the media on Friday, Sinn Féin's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill said there would be an Irish language act as part of any deal to restore Stormont.
She was responding to questions as to whether the legislation would be a stand-alone act or part of a broader cultural act that includes provision for Ulster Scots.
Previous rounds of talks have collapsed over the issue.
"What we need to see is a package of measures and public confidence to be generated to deliver good politics," Ms O'Neill added.
Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith is to meet with Irish language campaigners later on Friday.
The meeting with campaign group Conradh na Gaeilge had previously been scheduled to take place before Christmas.
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Steve Aiken said there was the "possibility of achieving a deal" but he was not going to give "any false optimism".
"We must have accountable, responsible and effective government going forward," he added."We must have accountable, responsible and effective government going forward," he added.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin held separate meetings with Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith on Thursday, before a roundtable with the other Stormont parties and the Irish government.The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin held separate meetings with Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith on Thursday, before a roundtable with the other Stormont parties and the Irish government.
Other meetings between the parties took place throughout the day.Other meetings between the parties took place throughout the day.
Speaking on BBC Northern Ireland's Good Morning Ulster on Friday, Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey said the party wanted to see the talks "over the line".
"We've had talks going on now for three years and as far as we're concerned that is well beyond long enough," he said.
"We all want to have a credible agreement, we want an agreement that will sustain itself and that means we have to address the issues that are well rehearsed."
DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said talks had been constructive but the parties must avoid a "quick fix".DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said talks had been constructive but the parties must avoid a "quick fix".
He said the parties and two governments were not in a position to publish a draft agreement text and would not agree a deal because of a looming deadline.He said the parties and two governments were not in a position to publish a draft agreement text and would not agree a deal because of a looming deadline.
He also said his party favoured reforming and retaining the petition of concern, the assembly's controversial veto system.He also said his party favoured reforming and retaining the petition of concern, the assembly's controversial veto system.
The petition is aimed at ensuring legislation cannot pass without cross-community support, but has faced accusations of misuse in the past.The petition is aimed at ensuring legislation cannot pass without cross-community support, but has faced accusations of misuse in the past.
Mr Maskey said all the parties had agreed there was a need for the petition of concern and four of them had agreed the substance of how it should be reformed. On Friday, Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey said all the parties had agreed there was a need for the petition of concern and four of them had agreed the substance of how it should be reformed.
"The DUP don't subscribe to that as yet," he said."The DUP don't subscribe to that as yet," he said.
"We need to bring the petition of concern back to what it was intended for, it was intended initially to ensure we protect all minorities within our community." "We need to bring the petition of concern back to what it was intended for."
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it was time for politicians to "stop coming to the microphone and telling the people at home they want to do a deal , while Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said the talks had faltered over the petition of concern. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it was time for politicians to "stop coming to the microphone and telling the people at home they want to do a deal, while Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said the talks had faltered over the petition of concern.
Before the talks were paused, Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith said the parties and the British and Irish governments were "very close" to a deal. In a tweet on Thursday evening, Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Coveney said things were moving on but there was "still work to do".
Before the talks were paused before Christmas, Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith said the parties and the British and Irish governments were "very close" to a deal.
But he said not all parties were "on board".But he said not all parties were "on board".
Why is the talks deadline 13 January?Why is the talks deadline 13 January?
Since Stormont collapsed, civil servants have been running day-to-day operations - but have needed Westminster to pass some legislation for some areas they do not have powers over.Since Stormont collapsed, civil servants have been running day-to-day operations - but have needed Westminster to pass some legislation for some areas they do not have powers over.
In July, the government extended a law that gives civil servants flexibility to take certain decisions, but that runs out on 13 January 2020.In July, the government extended a law that gives civil servants flexibility to take certain decisions, but that runs out on 13 January 2020.
The government then has two options if devolution is still not restored: bring forward another new bill to push back the date or call a fresh assembly election.The government then has two options if devolution is still not restored: bring forward another new bill to push back the date or call a fresh assembly election.
In the past, it has opted to pursue legislation but the current Secretary of State Julian Smith has insisted he will call another poll if the parties do not reach a breakthrough by 13 January.In the past, it has opted to pursue legislation but the current Secretary of State Julian Smith has insisted he will call another poll if the parties do not reach a breakthrough by 13 January.
What are the stumbling blocks?What are the stumbling blocks?
After power sharing fell in January 2017, Sinn Féin said it would not go back into an executive with the DUP, unless legislation for an Irish Language Act is implemented. After power sharing fell in January 2017, Sinn Féin said it would not go back into an executive with the DUP, unless legislation for an Irish language act is implemented.
The language is seen as important to the wider nationalist community, and a small number of unionists, as a symbol of identity - but in turn, it has been vigorously resisted by unionist parties.The language is seen as important to the wider nationalist community, and a small number of unionists, as a symbol of identity - but in turn, it has been vigorously resisted by unionist parties.
In February 2018, it appeared a deal was about to be brokered - but it collapsed at the last moment, and the two parties disagreed on the content of the proposed agreement text.In February 2018, it appeared a deal was about to be brokered - but it collapsed at the last moment, and the two parties disagreed on the content of the proposed agreement text.
Irish language is certainly an issue in the current talks, but it is understood the main bone of contention relates to reforming the petition of concern.Irish language is certainly an issue in the current talks, but it is understood the main bone of contention relates to reforming the petition of concern.
The DUP has said it will not allow "cherry picking" of the assembly mechanism - but other parties have put forward proposals to change how it operates.The DUP has said it will not allow "cherry picking" of the assembly mechanism - but other parties have put forward proposals to change how it operates.