Stormont parties to discuss financial deal for power-sharing return
- Published
The UK government is offering a package which is framed as dependent on the return of devolution
Political leaders will resume talks at Hillsborough Castle later over a £2.5bn financial package aimed at restoring power-sharing government.
The offer from Westminster is contingent on the return of devolved government in Northern Ireland.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has been boycotting it since early 2022 due to its protest over post-Brexit trade arrangements.
The party has said there is still more work needed on the deal.
There had been speculation an agreement was close, with the government hoping to restore devolution before parliamentary recess on Tuesday.
What will the parties be discussing?
The government's offer includes a lump sum to settle public sector pay claims and a new "needs-based" funding formula for public services.
Transport staff, teachers and health care workers have all staged strikes in recent months over pay, causing widespread disruption across Northern Ireland.
Stormont departments say they cannot settle pay disputes because of budget pressures.
Party leaders in Northern Ireland have agreed that the current financial offer from the UK government is not enough.
Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris has said he was prepared to go back to the prime minister and see what more is possible.
Talks will resume at Hillsborough Castle in County Down on Monday
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told members on Saturday that he would not be "distracted by hype" and "calendar-led initiatives" in relation to a deal.
Writing in an email, he said the financial package did "not deal with our long-term challenges" and that he was hopeful the government would "advance on their offer on Monday".
The DUP has been urged by other parties not to hold up a potential return to Stormont and to "seize the opportunity" to restore devolution.
Speaking on BBC News NI's Sunday Politics, Sinn Féin's John Finucane said Sir Jeffrey needed to show leadership.
"If he prevaricates and allows this to drift then that will be to the detriment to everybody in this society," he added.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said he will go back to the prime minister and see what more is possible
Monday's discussions will involve the four parties eligible to form a power-sharing government if it is restored - Sinn Féin, the DUP, Alliance and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
Speaking ahead of the talks, Mr Heaton-Harris said the parties have had time "to consider the generous package offered by the government"
"I look forward to discussing final details with the parties over the coming days."
'Never say never'
Alliance leader Naomi Long was cautious when asked about the possibility of a deal to restore Stormont before Westminster recess.
"I don't see at the moment any kind of path to a decision this side of Christmas. I think that is unfortunate," she told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme.
"But as with everything in Northern Ireland politics, when things start to move they move very quickly. So you never say never."
Political leaders return to Hillsborough on Monday to talk money, still not knowing if they will be in a position to spend it.
The government had hoped to be making plans for re-establishing Stormont after receiving the green light from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Instead we got a leaked email from its leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to party members making it clear they are not over the line yet.
It did feel like a party preparing for government when it feels the time is right.
Most of the email was directed at the ongoing battle to get more money from the Treasury.
But there is a frustration the DUP leader appears to be stalling for more time and wants the process parked until after Christmas.
Read more from Enda here.
Any possible restoration of Stormont also depends on key discussions about the Windsor Framework and how Northern Ireland trades with Great Britain.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the government was ready to legislate to protect Northern Ireland's position and would work "at pace".
Sir Jeffrey said on Saturday he had been able to identify "legislative measures and potential actions that would be in keeping with our negotiating objectives".
The posters were erected outside the DUP constituency office of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who is the MP for Lagan Valley
But he said they would be "measured against the tests in our manifesto, and that work for Northern Ireland and our place within the United Kingdom".
On Sunday, Sir Jeffrey also hit out at the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) after posters appeared across Northern Ireland saying "stop DUP sellout".
He said the party was behind the posters and said he would not be intimidated. In response, the TUV said posters are not intimidation.
- Published18 December 2023
- Published11 December 2023
