'˜Short window of opportunity' to break Stormont deadlock

Parties in Northern Ireland have a 'short few weeks' to strike a deal to save powersharing at Stormont, Secretary of State James Brokenshire has said.
Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire addresses the media outside Stormont House. Picture: Getty ImagesBritain's Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire addresses the media outside Stormont House. Picture: Getty Images
Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire addresses the media outside Stormont House. Picture: Getty Images

With a deadline for forming a new ruling executive following this month’s snap election having elapsed on Monday without agreement, the UK government now either has to call yet another poll or potentially reintroduce direct rule from Westminster.

Mr Brokenshire indicated he will delay taking action to allow the region’s political leaders some more time to resolve their differences.

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Without an executive or agreed budget for the upcoming financial year, control of Stormont’s finances will be handed to a senior civil servant on Wednesday, albeit subject to tight spending constraints.

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Mr Brokenshire said that was “not sustainable”, making clear the final window for negotiations would not be allowed to drift.

“I think there are a short few weeks in order to resolve matters,” he said.

“The reason I say that is because of the stark issue in relation to public services here in Northern Ireland and the lack of a budget having been set, and therefore it is the impact on public services on having an extended period that is very much at the forefront of my mind in terms of the responsibilities that we have as the UK Government to provide that assurance to the public here.”

The Democratic Unionist/Sinn Fein administration collapsed in January amid a bitter row over a botched green energy scheme. The subsequent snap election campaign laid bare a range of other contentious issues dividing the parties.

The Secretary of State rejected criticism of the Government’s handling of the talks to form a new executive and defended the fact Prime Minister Theresa May did not participate in the process. He said the Government had played a “positive and active” role and Mrs May had been kept updated throughout.

He declined to be drawn on calls for an independent mediator to be appointed to inject fresh impetus to negotiations that some politicians have described as a “shambles” to date.

Under current legislation, the Government is required to call another snap election if a deadline for forming an executive passes.

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However, there is some room for manoeuvre, as there is no obligation to set a poll date immediately, rather within a “reasonable period”.

Making a public statement at Stormont House, Belfast, after the 4pm deadline passed on Monday, Mr Brokenshire said there was “no appetite” for an immediate election.

The Government could also theoretically go for the nuclear option of reintroducing direct rule, but that move - which would require emergency legislation - looks unlikely at this stage at least.

Mr Brokenshire said there was “an overwhelming desire” among politicians and the public for “strong and stable devolved government”.

“We now have a short window of opportunity to resolve outstanding issues and for an executive to be formed,” he said.

“Everyone owes it to the people of Northern Ireland to grasp that and provide the political leadership and stability that they want.”

Mr Brokenshire said he would make a full statement in the House of Commons on Tuesday setting out a way forward for the region.