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15/09/2015
Villers Describes Stormont Political Crisis As 'Very Grave'
Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has described the current political crisis in Northern Ireland as "very grave".
Speaking to the House of Commons she also confirmed she has been keeping in close contact with the five main political parties, the Irish Government and the Prime Minister.
Ms Villiers also plans to hold further talks at Stormont on Wednesday and further ahead.
She said: "Serious consideration needs to be given to whether the time is right to re-establish a body along the lines of the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC).
"The remit the parties might wish to give to such a body is likely to be different from those addressed by the original IMC, reflecting changed circumstances.
"But there might well be scope for such a body to play a part in providing greater community confidence and repairing working relationships within the Executive."
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said it would be prepared to enter talks in the right circumstances.
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy said there should be no delays or preconditions in beginning all-party talks to resolve the current difficulties facing the Executive.
Mr Murphy said: "There should be no delays or preconditions in progressing to full all-party talks to resolve the current difficulties facing the Executive. These talks should begin immediately.
"We are approaching these talks to achieve a resolution and that should be the goal of all political parties.
"If a resolution cannot be found then the next step will be to go to the polls and call a fresh election."
(CD)
Speaking to the House of Commons she also confirmed she has been keeping in close contact with the five main political parties, the Irish Government and the Prime Minister.
Ms Villiers also plans to hold further talks at Stormont on Wednesday and further ahead.
She said: "Serious consideration needs to be given to whether the time is right to re-establish a body along the lines of the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC).
"The remit the parties might wish to give to such a body is likely to be different from those addressed by the original IMC, reflecting changed circumstances.
"But there might well be scope for such a body to play a part in providing greater community confidence and repairing working relationships within the Executive."
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said it would be prepared to enter talks in the right circumstances.
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy said there should be no delays or preconditions in beginning all-party talks to resolve the current difficulties facing the Executive.
Mr Murphy said: "There should be no delays or preconditions in progressing to full all-party talks to resolve the current difficulties facing the Executive. These talks should begin immediately.
"We are approaching these talks to achieve a resolution and that should be the goal of all political parties.
"If a resolution cannot be found then the next step will be to go to the polls and call a fresh election."
(CD)
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NI political parties invited to join 'devolution' committee
The Northern ireland Secretary of State, Peter Hain, has today invited the main political parties to sit on an Assembly Committee in a bid to restore devolution. It is understood that each of the main parties, the DUP, Sinn Fein, UUP and SDLP, will be given three places on the panel, with the Alliance party being given two.
NI political parties invited to join 'devolution' committee
The Northern ireland Secretary of State, Peter Hain, has today invited the main political parties to sit on an Assembly Committee in a bid to restore devolution. It is understood that each of the main parties, the DUP, Sinn Fein, UUP and SDLP, will be given three places on the panel, with the Alliance party being given two.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
