SDLP Supports Calls For Stormont Pay Freeze During Talks Delay

The endless delay in Stormont talks is not down to detail, but "narrow party political interest", according to SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood.

Mr Eastwood described the latest "pause" announced in Executive talks as "depressing" but said that no-one will be surprised by it, least of all the public.

The Executive has been on hold since its collapse in January, and the parties have again failed to reach an agreement by the agreed deadline.

Commenting on the latest delay, Mr Eastwood, said: "The most depressing commentary on today's 'pause' is that no–one will be surprised by it – least of all the public. However, just because we are well versed in the hugely frustrating pattern of these talks, it shouldn't make us any less angry at what amounts to another failure. 

"People need to know - this deal was doable last week, it was doable today and the very same deal will be doable in the autumn.

"The endless delay is not down to detail – it is down to narrow party political interest.  

People need to know - there hasn't been one thought given by the DUP or Sinn Féin to the issues of health, education or the economy.

"Again maybe this isn't surprising. It is the same legacy and the same pattern of the 10 year coalition between the DUP and Sinn Féin. Two parties that love a good crisis but hide away when it comes to actually doing the job of government.

"For 10 years it's been all politics and no government. Meanwhile everyone else moves on and Northern Ireland is left behind.

Mr Eastwood went on to describe the current agreement between the Conservatives and the DUP as "in effect Direct Rule". He continued: "We now face the powerless political context of having no local Assembly, no Irish Nationalist voice in Westminster, no functioning North-South bodies and no northern voice on Brexit. Today is a good time to reflect on the strategy which has brought us to this place.

"Building a New Ireland will never be possible if our only tactic is tearing apart relationships and institutions – we only build that New Ireland by building political partnership and broadening our political appeal."

The SDLP's Nichola Mallon has also backed a call for Stormont politicians to stop being paid while the assembly is not sitting.

Speaking on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster, Ms Mallon said: "No one should be paid for a job they are not doing."

(MH/LM)