NORTHERN IRELAND: Power-sharing deal breaks down again. Dialogues
between the five major political parties in the country to form a fresh
coalition government took place however, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has
expressed his doubt about the possibilities of them reaching any deal with
other political parties before the deadline on Monday.
Earlier this year, Ireland was almost at its feet when a
power-sharing collapsed which was brought about by a commotion over a failed
green energy scheme projected to cost the tax paying public about half a
billion pounds.
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader and former first
minister Arlene Foster was criticised over her role in the scheme, with Sinn
Fein's Martin McGuinness resigning as deputy first minster in protest.
The outcome of that incident brought about the conduct of
new elections in March, with the Republican Party’s backing increased.
Sinn Fein announced that until public inquiry is concluded
into the renewable heat incentive, it will not go into any power-sharing deal with
Mrs Foster as First Minister any more.
Talks in Belfast between the five main parties to form a new
government have been taking place, chaired by Northern Ireland Secretary James
Brokenshire.
But Sinn Fein has now called time on the current round of
negotiations.
The party’s leader at Stormont, Michelle O'Neill, stressed
that the republican party will not be recommending a deputy first minister on
Monday.
She said: "Today we have come to the end of the road.
"The talks process has run its course and Sinn Fein
will not be nominating for the position of speaker or for the executive office
tomorrow."
In his part, Mr Adams said: "The DUP cannot be in there
representing the DUP voters.
"They have to work with us and any other party in there
representing everyone."
Also DUP leader Arlene Foster said: "The DUP was ready
to form a new administration without pre-conditions so as to allow us to have a
budget and to deal with the many matters that currently face the people of
Northern Ireland.
"Negotiations will only ever be successful when parties
are prepared to be flexible in order to secure outcomes.
"To date there was little to suggest that Sinn Fein
want to secure agreement.
"At every opportunity they have resisted involving the
other parties and consequently no round table discussions were possible during
this round of discussions. Any future discussions will have to be built on a
more solid footing."
Monday is the deadline given for nominating a first and
deputy first minister at Stormont or else Mr Brokenshire is obliged to mediate.
Otherwise, fresh elections or direct rule from Westminster
could be imposed within a reasonable period.
Mr Brokenshire said: "I am determined to see a functioning
executive in place at Stormont.
"I have spoken to the Prime Minister and this remains
the UK government's continuing priority.
"This is the necessary first step to addressing the
issues of greatest public concern - health, education and other public services
in Northern Ireland.
"Even at this stage I urge political parties to agree
to work to form an executive and provide people here with the strong and stable
devolved government that they want."
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