Northern Ireland power-sharing deadline pushed back to Monday by UK Government
DUP and Sinn Fein politicians had failed to form an executive by today’s 4pm deadline
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The deadline for power-sharing talks in Northern Ireland has been extended until Monday, after no agreement was reached by 4pm today.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said it would provide “space and time” for both sides to come to an agreement.
Earlier in the day, senior Democratic Unionist politician Edwin Poots had warned that the deadline would be missed.
“The talks are continuing, obviously there is not going to be a breakthrough that would lead to nominations taking place today,” he said.
“The talks will continue – Sinn Fein know what they need to do.”
He added: “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.”
Sinn Fein said it was “make your mind up time for the DUP”.
The parties are deadlocked over nationalist demands for an “Irish Language Act”, which is opposed by the DUP.
A so-called hybrid model which would also cover the Ulster-Scots language has been proposed as an alternative by the DUP and would have to be accepted by Sinn Fein for progress to be made.
If a deal cannot be struck, Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire could give Westminster a greater say in making decisions in Northern Ireland.
Alternatively, he has the option of calling another Northern Ireland Assembly election or giving the parties more time to negotiate.
Mr Poots said Mr Brokenshire would make a statement to the House of Commons on Monday outlining the way ahead in the wake of yet another broken deadline.
The Assembly has been suspended several times since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, but the DUP and Sinn Fein have successfully governed in coalition for around ten years, until the recent Renewable Heat Incentive scandal, brought down DUP leader Arlene Foster’s government. In the ensuing elections, Irish republican parties won the most seats in the Assembly for the first time.
That the DUP is now in a “confidence and supply” arrangement to support a minority Conservative Government makes the talks even harder, and also potentially compromises the Westminster Government’s role as a broker between the two. When asked in the House of Commons on Wednesday whether the Tories’ £1.5bn deal with the DUP undermined his position, Mr Brokenshire said “not in any way”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments