Parties Fail To Meet Deadline To Restore Power Sharing In NI

Political parties in Northern Ireland have failed to meet the deadline to restore power sharing.

A scheduled Assembly meeting to nominate Ministers was also axed.

It is the fourth time the deadline has been missed.

DUP MP Edwin Poots said: "There is not going to be a breakthrough which will lead to nominations today.

"At this stage we aren't close to an agreement, there is considerable work to be done and we believe the ball is in the court of Sinn Fein in the main in dealing with a series of outstanding issues."

Secretary of State James Brokenshire will address the House of Commons on Monday. However, it is believed the parties will continue talks this evening and over the weekend.

If a deal is not reached Northern Ireland faces the prospect of Direct Rule.

Alliance Leader Naomi Long has said her party is "extremely frustrated and disappointed" that the deadline has been missed.

She said: "There has been no ministerial direction within Departments for a number of months, with decisions on how to allocate budgets being missed, all of which has a direct impact on public services and jobs. While some people who were elected to this Assembly are refusing to do their jobs, there are people who elected them to that position who are losing theirs. That is not an acceptable position.

"Alliance will not walk away from the negotiations but we are clear this a serious development - there has been a breach of trust by the larger parties in not reaching agreement before this deadline. That has tested the public's patience well beyond breaking point. Those parties with the largest mandates need to now also accept the size of their responsibilities and deliver for those who voted for them. Get the deal done, get the Assembly re-established and get the Ministers back into office."

(CD/LM)