Menu
15/01/2019
NI Parties Meet To Address Ongoing Political Impasse
Northern Ireland's political parties have met to discuss the ongoing political impasse, over two years since the institutions at Stormont collapsed.
Alliance leader Naomi Long called for the meeting on Monday 14 January, and reiterated her request for an independent chair to oversee the new talks process.
Following the break down of a potential deal aimed at restoring power-sharing last February, there has been little to no sign of re-establishing the Assembly or even a talks process, until yesterday's meeting.
"Two years of wasted time and opportunities is already more than NI can afford," the east Belfast MLA said in a post on Twitter.
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald described the ongoing stasis as a "matter of great frustration to us" and a "disgrace".
"That is plainly because others have sought to deny our fundamental rights, basic rights to sections of our society, and that's an intolerable situation," she said.
In previous negotiation attempts, Sinn Fein's proposal of an Irish Language Act has risen to the fore as a key sticking point along with equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland.
Speaking about restoring the institutions, Sinn Fein MP for south Down Chris Hazzard said: "The denial of rights has to end, there must be parity of esteem at the heart of the institutions. The British and Irish governments as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement need to live up to their responsibilities."
(JG/CM)
Alliance leader Naomi Long called for the meeting on Monday 14 January, and reiterated her request for an independent chair to oversee the new talks process.
Following the break down of a potential deal aimed at restoring power-sharing last February, there has been little to no sign of re-establishing the Assembly or even a talks process, until yesterday's meeting.
"Two years of wasted time and opportunities is already more than NI can afford," the east Belfast MLA said in a post on Twitter.
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald described the ongoing stasis as a "matter of great frustration to us" and a "disgrace".
"That is plainly because others have sought to deny our fundamental rights, basic rights to sections of our society, and that's an intolerable situation," she said.
In previous negotiation attempts, Sinn Fein's proposal of an Irish Language Act has risen to the fore as a key sticking point along with equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland.
Speaking about restoring the institutions, Sinn Fein MP for south Down Chris Hazzard said: "The denial of rights has to end, there must be parity of esteem at the heart of the institutions. The British and Irish governments as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement need to live up to their responsibilities."
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 January 2024
Sinn Féin Welcomes Power-Sharing Return
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has welcomed progress on the return to power-sharing.
Sinn Féin Welcomes Power-Sharing Return
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has welcomed progress on the return to power-sharing.
24 April 2024
SDLP 'Extremely Disappointed' Assembly Further Delays Hospital Parking Change
The SDLP have expressed their disappointment after the Assembly backed a two-year delay to free parking at hospitals. Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party and the UUP rejected an SDLP proposal to cut the delay to one year.
SDLP 'Extremely Disappointed' Assembly Further Delays Hospital Parking Change
The SDLP have expressed their disappointment after the Assembly backed a two-year delay to free parking at hospitals. Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party and the UUP rejected an SDLP proposal to cut the delay to one year.
18 April 2024
Other News In Brief
SDLP Criticise SF And Alliance For Backing DUP Amendment The SDLP have accused Sinn Féin and the Alliance Party of allowing the DUP to "delay action on poverty". Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole made the accusation, after the Executive parties backed a DUP amendment to the SDLP's Opposition Day proposal to remove the two-child limit.
Other News In Brief
SDLP Criticise SF And Alliance For Backing DUP Amendment The SDLP have accused Sinn Féin and the Alliance Party of allowing the DUP to "delay action on poverty". Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole made the accusation, after the Executive parties backed a DUP amendment to the SDLP's Opposition Day proposal to remove the two-child limit.
20 March 2024
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Announces Resignation
Ireland's Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has announced that he will stand down as prime minister with immediate effect and leader of Fine Gael as soon as his successor is selected.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Announces Resignation
Ireland's Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has announced that he will stand down as prime minister with immediate effect and leader of Fine Gael as soon as his successor is selected.
08 June 2005
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Light winds. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
