Stormont Talks: UK Govt Will Have To Consider All Options After Easter

The UK Government "will have to consider all options" including direct rule if talks to form a new power-sharing Executive fail.

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire made the statement at the House of Commons today, 28 March.

He said that from Wednesday, 29 March, a civil servant, the Department of Finance Permanent Secretary, will exercise powers to allocate money to Northern Ireland departments.

Mr Brokenshire said: "This situation is not sustainable and beyond a short period of time will have an impact on public service.

"What we are talking about here is the health service, schools, voluntary groups and services for the most vulnerable in society.

"This isn't what people voted for on 2 March.

"I am encouraged that there remains a strong willingness to continue engaging in dialogue with a view to resolving outstanding issues and forming an Executive and that must absolutely remain a priority.

"But the window of opportunity is short.

"It is essential therefore that the intensity of discussions is stepped up with renewed intent and focus and I believe a positive outcome remains possible.

"To that end I will continue over coming days to work closely with the Northern Ireland parties and the Irish Government as appropriate."

He also said if an agreement had not been reached after the Easter recess he would bring forward legislation to set a regional rate to enable councils to carry out their functions and provide further assurance around the Budget.

However, Sinn Féin leader in the North Michelle O'Neill MLA said there is only one option which Mr Brokenshire is entitled to take and that is to call an election.

She said: "There is no legal basis for any other course of action. And while parties may or may not want an election the fact is if the British Secretary of State brings in new legislation to restore Direct Rule that will be an act of bad faith and a clear breach of an agreement between the Irish and British governments in 2006.

"Sinn Féin has made it clear that all of the outstanding issues can be resolved. There can be no return to the status quo.

"We have no objection to the British Secretary of State leaving some time for that to be done but we are totally opposed and we would look to the Irish government to oppose, any new legislation to bring back direct rule."

Meanwhile, Upper Bann Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie MC, has called on Sinn Fein to "practice what they preach".

He said: "Given that Sinn Fein's demand for an Irish Language Act is one of the stumbling blocks in reaching agreement to enable devolution to be restored, I am calling on them to practice what they preach.

"The Flags, Identity, Culture and Traditions (FICT) commission was set up in June 2016 under the DUP/Sinn Fein Fresh Start Agreement. It has been running for nine months and its interim report is due in the next few weeks. It is due to present its findings to the Executive Office in December 2017 – nine months from now.

"One of the main issues being considered by the FICT is the Irish language, through considerable engagement with civic society.

"Given that the Commission is part of the out-workings of the Stormont House Agreement, it would surely make sense for Sinn Fein to agree to let the Commission complete its work and report its findings on language and culture. This solution has the potential to let us focus on reaching agreement on other issues and restore devolution to Northern Ireland."

(CD)