‘Window of opportunity rapidly closing’ on restoring power sharing at Stormont
2 min read
The Government has warned that the “window of opportunity” to restore Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government is “closing rapidly”.
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire met party leaders yesterday in a last-ditch attempt yesterday to prevent a return to direct rule from Westminster.
Civil servants have been left in charge of the country since January, when ten years of power-sharing broke down after a scandal over a renewable heating scheme.
With no agreed budget and no ministers in office, the health and education services are in crisis.
Mr Brokenshire warned the Government is prepared to “intervene” if an agreement is not reached soon.
“The window of opportunity to restore devolution and to form an executive is closing rapidly as we move further into the autumn and with pressures in public services already evident, the need for intervention is becoming increasingly clear,” he said.
“I don’t want to have to take this action — my intent is for politicians in Northern Ireland to form an executive. I’m not going to pretend that this is easy as clear differences remain but it does remain achievable.”.
DUP leader Arlene Foster suggested restoring devolved government alongside a parallel process dealing with contentious culture and language issues, but the proposal was rejected by Sinn Fein.
Yesterday 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.”
Ms Foster 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."
Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill said yesterday 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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