PM And Taoiseach Discuss Political Crisis In NI

The Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Leo Varadakar believe there is still time for political parties to reach an agreement to restore a power-sharing Executive.

The DUP and Sinn Fein failed to reach a deal during the talks, and NI Secretary of State James Brokenshire said he will set a budget after the November recess.

Mrs May and Mr Varadakar spoke on the phone on Wednesday, 01 November.

The Taoiseach said he did not want see a return to Direct Rule.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the government is being held back by a "narrow political agenda".

He said: "Decisions being taken in the House of Commons instead of at Stormont is not what we want but civil servants must have a legal basis to spend money. That is why the Secretary of State needs to set a budget. SF’s opposition to this is foolish. Day-to-day services should not be disrupted because of the Irish Language.

"With regard to an Irish Language Act, it already receives ample public funding for those who wish to speak it or learn it. It already is catered for in ways that no other minority language is. We cannot and will not be party to an agreement that elevates the Irish language not only above all others, but above health, education and other vital public services.

"We support Her Majesty's Government safeguarding public spending in Northern Ireland but our goal is to ensure those decisions can be made at Stormont."

Sinn Fein Northern leader Michelle O'Neill said endless talks without conclusion are "not sustainable".

She said: "There is a need for the two governments to act urgently to deliver equality. This is their joint responsibility under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

"I want to state explicitly that, in the context of agreement on delivery of these rights, Sinn Féin will re-enter government. In the absence of these rights the Executive is not sustainable."

Alliance Party leader Naomi Campbell said Mr Brokenshire needs to end the "hands off" approach with the DUP and Sinn Fein.

She said: It's long past time an independent mediator was brought in - something the Alliance Party called for before the summer - to give focus and structure to negotiations, and deliver a more inclusive process.

"A budget bill at Westminster is seen as a "do no harm" position by the Government, but it leaves Northern Ireland in a no man's land, between devolution and direct rule.

"Whilst it allows civil servants to spend the remainder of this year's budget, that money will have to be spent in line with priorities and policies established by the previous Executive. Without either devolved or direct rule ministers in place, there is no-one to take key decisions for Northern Ireland's future, such as whether to mainstream successful pilot schemes, implement new policy, redirect funds towards changed priorities or conduct necessary policy reforms. As a result, NI is falling behind further.

"The current situation simply cannot continue indefinitely, and that includes with regards MLA pay. I welcome the fact that the Secretary of State has finally indicated he intends to address that issue."

Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy said: "Unless there's a step change on the part of the DUP and both governments on the issues of rights, it is very unlikely we are going to see any agreement in the next period of time to see the institutions back in place.

"The current phase of talks failed because of the DUP's refusal to accept a future based on rights and equality. This anti-rights position has been facilitated by a British Government, which is dependent on the DUP for its own survival.

"However, these issues of rights and equality aren't going away and they need to be dealt with satisfactorily if credible, sustainable institutions are to be put in place."

(CD)