Stormont: Talks to restore devolution ongoing, says DUP's Donaldson

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson rejected claims that talks to restore Stormont have concluded

Talks to restore devolution in Northern Ireland have not come to a conclusion, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader has said.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was reacting to remarks by the tánaiste (Irish deputy PM) who said progress had "ebbed".

Micheál Martin said it was his understanding talks had "more or less come to a conclusion" without a breakthrough.

But Sir Jeffrey said: "No one in government has said that to me."

He told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme he hoped to meet the government at some point later this week.

"There are still gaps to be closed but we are working on these," he said.

"If we can get an agreement that unionists as well as nationalists can support… then perhaps we'll be in a position to restore the institutions but we're not there yet."

On Sunday, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office told BBC News NI that talks were still ongoing and a running commentary was not being provided.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin made the comments to Irish broadcaster RTÉ on Sunday

The DUP is refusing to participate in devolved government at Stormont in protest over post-Brexit trade rules.

Northern Ireland's biggest unionist party pulled its first minister out of office in February 2022, saying the trade deal was damaging businesses and undermining the union.

Since then, Sinn Féin has overtaken the DUP as the largest party at Stormont after winning the most seats in the 2022 assembly elections.

However, because power-sharing requires the participation of both the main nationalist and main unionist parties, Stormont departments have been left without devolved ministers.

The Northern Ireland Civil Service has been running public services in the absence of elected representatives but there are widespread budget problems in many departments, especially health.

• Irish deputy PM says NI talks progress has 'ebbed'

• Can Sir Jeffrey lead the DUP out of deep water?

• 'Power-sharing essential for the future' - DUP leader

Sir Jeffrey also denied that a postponed meeting of DUP officers last week was an indication that talks were not going well, saying that claim was "nonsensical".

He said that the party officers usually meet once a week but that it was put back due to the half-term holidays.

"I'm clear about what we need to get from the government - our position has not changed."

The DUP and the Windsor Framework

Earlier this year, a new deal called the Windsor Framework was struck between the UK and EU over Northern Ireland.

The aim of the framework is to reduce the level of controls on goods coming from Great Britain which are intended for sale in Northern Ireland.

But, the DUP said the framework did not address all its concerns about post-Brexit trade barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

At his annual party conference last month, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said a return to power-sharing government was "essential" for securing the future of the union.

He later said there were still "significant gaps" that have to be resolved before a proposal can be presented to his party.

Read more: A simple guide to the Northern Ireland Brexit deal