Stormont Talks In Danger Of Losing Momentum

As the UK Government moves to delay the legal requirement to call an Assembly election in Northern Ireland, the ongoing talks process aimed at restoring devolution is in serious danger of losing momentum, an Alliance MLA has warned.

The government published a bill on Thursday 04 July that would push an election back until 21 October, with the prospect of a further extension until January 2020.

The development comes two and a half years since power-sharing collapsed when the DUP and Sinn Fein split in a bitter row in January 2017, and nine weeks into the latest phase of negotiations.

Responding to claims by Sinn Fein that talks were stalling to allow for the upcoming 12 July celebrations, Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MLA said the process is continuing but the window for success is diminishing.

He said: "Rather than seeing momentum and intensity building towards an agreement, we are in danger of seeing momentum lost.

"After nine weeks of this particular phase of talks, and an impasse of 30 months, people have every right to see and expect more progress than we have to date.

"There was an easier window of opportunity to get an agreement to restore and sustain the institutions before the end of June. As time goes on, the external environment with a change of Prime Minister and Brexit becomes even more complicated."

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's Stormont Leader Michelle O'Neill said the UK Government's move to extend legislation signals a lack of urgency to secure an agreement.

She said: "The governments convened the current talks process and as co guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement they have a responsibility to ensure that we get credible, sustainable institutions up and running that treat all citizens equally."

Ms O'Neill added that the people of Northern Ireland should be given their say through a general election if the facilitating governments aren't prepared to commit.

Secretary of State Karen Bradley is also facing pressure from Ulster Unionists to act in order for vital local issues to move forward in Northern Ireland.

Party leader Robin Swann MLA said: "The people of Northern Ireland are reaching the end of their tether.

"It may be the case that some parties are close to finding agreement in the current round of talks, but our reading of the situation is that there is still a long way to go in some areas, and in the meantime the people of Northern Ireland need decisions to be made.

"We really need to see reforms in health implemented, we need to see a Bengoa-style review of education, we need to see investment in infrastructure, we need urgent legislation passed regarding domestic violence and coercive control, and we simply cannot wait to see if a deal can be done by October.

"The bottom line is that Northern Ireland needs decisions to be made, and in the short term, if that means they have to be taken by the Secretary of State until such time as we get an Assembly and Executive up and running again, then so be it."



(JG/CM)