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London and Dublin urge NI to review Stormont agreement and break impasse London and Dublin urge NI to review Stormont agreement and break impasse
(about 1 hour later)
The British and Irish governments have called for Northern Ireland’s political leaders to review the Stormont House agreement next week in order to avert the collapse of the devolved administration.The British and Irish governments have called for Northern Ireland’s political leaders to review the Stormont House agreement next week in order to avert the collapse of the devolved administration.
The meeting is expected to take place at Stormont next Tuesday to discuss controversial welfare reforms.The meeting is expected to take place at Stormont next Tuesday to discuss controversial welfare reforms.
In statements released simultaneously, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and the Republic’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the region’s political leaders had been invited to review the Stormont House agreement.In statements released simultaneously, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and the Republic’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the region’s political leaders had been invited to review the Stormont House agreement.
The DFA said: “The failure this week of the welfare bill to secure approval in the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the consequent budgetary implications, have a direct and major impact on the prospects for implementing the totality of the Stormont House agreement.The DFA said: “The failure this week of the welfare bill to secure approval in the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the consequent budgetary implications, have a direct and major impact on the prospects for implementing the totality of the Stormont House agreement.
“Accordingly, following consultation with the British government, it has been decided that a review and monitoring meeting of the Stormont House agreement will take place on Tuesday, 2 June.”“Accordingly, following consultation with the British government, it has been decided that a review and monitoring meeting of the Stormont House agreement will take place on Tuesday, 2 June.”
The NIO said Theresa Villiers had written to party leaders inviting them to take part in next week’s meeting at Stormont House, the Northern Ireland Secretary’s residence on the Stormont estate.The NIO said Theresa Villiers had written to party leaders inviting them to take part in next week’s meeting at Stormont House, the Northern Ireland Secretary’s residence on the Stormont estate.
It is not clear whether first minister Peter Robinson – who is recovering from a heart attack – will be well enough to attend the meeting. It is not clear whether the first minister, Peter Robinson – who is recovering from a heart attack – will be well enough to attend the meeting.
The Stormont House deal has been widely hailed as finding resolutions to some of Northern Ireland’s most intractable problems, including parading and dealing with the legacy of the Troubles. The Stormont House deal has been widely hailed as a way to find resolutions to some of Northern Ireland’s most intractable problems, including parading and dealing with the legacy of the Troubles.
It was struck two days before Christmas after weeks of negotiations that involved the British, Irish and American governments.It was struck two days before Christmas after weeks of negotiations that involved the British, Irish and American governments.
A key plank of the accord to which the five main parties signed up was the introduction of the Conservative/Lib Dem welfare reforms.A key plank of the accord to which the five main parties signed up was the introduction of the Conservative/Lib Dem welfare reforms.
But on Tuesday, Sinn Féin and the SDLP vetoed welfare legislation when it was brought to the floor of the assembly, plunging the devolved administration into jeopardy.But on Tuesday, Sinn Féin and the SDLP vetoed welfare legislation when it was brought to the floor of the assembly, plunging the devolved administration into jeopardy.
The crisis deepened even further when Executive ministers failed to agree a budget for next year’s public spending on Thursday.The crisis deepened even further when Executive ministers failed to agree a budget for next year’s public spending on Thursday.
Related: Northern Ireland power sharing in crisis as welfare bill failsRelated: Northern Ireland power sharing in crisis as welfare bill fails
Relations between the DUP and Sinn Féin – the two biggest parties at Stormont – have soured since republicans pulled their support for welfare reform in March.Relations between the DUP and Sinn Féin – the two biggest parties at Stormont – have soured since republicans pulled their support for welfare reform in March.
They claimed Executive-funded topup schemes designed to protect claimants set to lose out under the new benefits system were not as comprehensive as they believed were envisaged in December’s negotiations and accused the unionists of acting in “bad faith”.They claimed Executive-funded topup schemes designed to protect claimants set to lose out under the new benefits system were not as comprehensive as they believed were envisaged in December’s negotiations and accused the unionists of acting in “bad faith”.
Treasury-imposed penalties for the non-implementation of welfare reforms are currently running at £10 million a month, and the DUP has argued that without change there will be an unsustainable funding gap estimated at around £600 million by the summer. Treasury-imposed penalties for the non-implementation of welfare reforms are currently running at £10m a month, and the DUP has argued that without change there will be an unsustainable funding gap estimated at around £600m by the summer.
There have been calls for Westminster to take back welfare powers to break the impasse – a move for which Downing Street has little appetite.There have been calls for Westminster to take back welfare powers to break the impasse – a move for which Downing Street has little appetite.
An alternative scenario could see a senior civil servant have to take over responsibility for public finances. An alternative scenario could see a senior civil servant take over responsibility for public finances.