23/10/2017
Call For DUP And Sinn Fein To Publish Progress Made On Talks
The leader of the SDLP is urging the DUP and Sinn Fein to publish the progress they have made during the talks process to restore power-sharing in NI.
The two parties have so far failed to reach an agreement, however they said they have made progress on the talks.
The parties have until the end of October to reach a deal.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: "With just seven days left to find a deal on power-sharing, the DUP and Sinn Féin need to come clean with the public. Week after week, we have heard that they have made 'progress' but with no detail and no substance. They need to put their cards on the table.
"The time for negotiating behind the scenes is over. The public deserve to know why they are paying the price for political failure.
"After 10 months with no government, it appears that the only thing set to be delivered by the DUP and Sinn Féin is British Direct Rule. A prospect that should make all of us very worried and very angry.
"The two parties who received the big mandates now have a choice, they must show courage to compromise or if we are to arrive the unforgivable position, where no deal is reached – we need to hear from the DUP and Sinn Féin on their Plan B.
"The SDLP is clear, British Direct Rule must not and cannot be the Plan B. Direct Rule doesn't just bring the British Government into a more powerful position – it gives Arlene Foster and the DUP a blank cheque. That's a compromise the SDLP is not prepared to make."
(CD/LM)
The two parties have so far failed to reach an agreement, however they said they have made progress on the talks.
The parties have until the end of October to reach a deal.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: "With just seven days left to find a deal on power-sharing, the DUP and Sinn Féin need to come clean with the public. Week after week, we have heard that they have made 'progress' but with no detail and no substance. They need to put their cards on the table.
"The time for negotiating behind the scenes is over. The public deserve to know why they are paying the price for political failure.
"After 10 months with no government, it appears that the only thing set to be delivered by the DUP and Sinn Féin is British Direct Rule. A prospect that should make all of us very worried and very angry.
"The two parties who received the big mandates now have a choice, they must show courage to compromise or if we are to arrive the unforgivable position, where no deal is reached – we need to hear from the DUP and Sinn Féin on their Plan B.
"The SDLP is clear, British Direct Rule must not and cannot be the Plan B. Direct Rule doesn't just bring the British Government into a more powerful position – it gives Arlene Foster and the DUP a blank cheque. That's a compromise the SDLP is not prepared to make."
(CD/LM)
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