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Legacy issues logjam delaying Stormont talks deal

Talks aimed at resolving the political deadlock at Stormont will resume on Monday. Picture by Mal McCann
Talks aimed at resolving the political deadlock at Stormont will resume on Monday. Picture by Mal McCann Talks aimed at resolving the political deadlock at Stormont will resume on Monday. Picture by Mal McCann

THE Stormont talks are unlikely to yield any agreement until Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, with legacy issues identified as the main blockage.

It seems expectation of any deal yesterday was misplaced, though the two governments have indicated that they will remain in touch over the weekend and resume negotiations on Monday morning.

Sinn Féin said last night an impasse over how much information the British government will disclose on its role in the Troubles is holding up a conclusion.

It is understood the basis of a broad agreement has been reached between Sinn Féin and the DUP but the logjam over disclosure stands in the way of an overall agreement.

Sinn Féin assembly member Conor Murphy said families of victims of the Troubles must be given information.

"The Stormont House Agreement provided maximum disclosure for the families of victims of the conflict," he said.

"Thus far this has not been delivered. This is now a major stumbling block to reaching a comprehensive agreement."

It also remains to be seen whether the Ulster Unionists, SDLP and Alliance will sign off on any proposals, even though their support is not theoretically required for the deal to be implemented.

Some issues remain to be resolved around finances, including welfare reform implementation and government investment commitments, and the shape of proposed cross-border initiatives to tackle paramilitarism, but it is understood those matters are not viewed as insurmountable.

DUP health minister Simon Hamilton said he remained hopeful an agreement could be struck, but expressed doubt on its reach.

"I don't think at this stage there is any doubt there will be an agreement - the question is how comprehensive that agreement will be both in terms of its contents and also in terms of how many parties will support that agreement," he said.

The Republic's minister for foreign affairs Charlie Flanagan said a "number of key issues" remained outstanding before any agreement.