DUP leader blames Sinn Fein for deadlock at Stormont talks
2 min read
The DUP leader has said she is “disappointed” that Sinn Fein were quick to reject her proposal to restore the Northern Irish Assembly.
Arlene Foster was speaking following a meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire in Belfast this morning.
The talks are being held in an attempt to restore a power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland and end direct rule from Westminster, which has been in place since the assembly’s collapse in January.
Last week Ms Foster suggested restoring devolved government alongside a parallel process dealing with contentious culture and language issues, but the proposal was rejected by Sinn Fein.
Today she told reporters: “Of course we were disappointed at the way in which Sinn Fein reacted to the comments that I made on Thursday evening. The breakneck speed at which it was dealt with said to me that they didn’t really want to consider what had been put on the table to them.”
But Ms Foster added that the DUP would remain engaged in the process, saying: “we will keep talking and we will speak with all of the other parties this week.”
The DUP leader also appealed to the Secretary of State, saying that if no deal between the parties had been reached by October, Mr Brokenshire would need to act to alleviate budget pressures.
She said: "He has decisions to take around appropriation bills in October, so if there is no devolution by that stage... he will have to take action in the interests of people of Northern Ireland and in the interests of good government as well."
Also speaking today, Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill said a deal could be "done in days" if Northern Irish parties took the right approach to talks.
"There is a short window in front of us where we need to find solutions and a way forward, she said.
"We need a short, sharp and focused negotiation in the small time frame we have ahead of us."
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