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No immediate plans for talks between DUP and Sinn Féin

John O'Dowd said there needed to be a 'step change' from the DUP and both governments. Picture by David Young/PA Wire
John O'Dowd said there needed to be a 'step change' from the DUP and both governments. Picture by David Young/PA Wire John O'Dowd said there needed to be a 'step change' from the DUP and both governments. Picture by David Young/PA Wire

There are no immediate plans to reconvene formal talks between the DUP and Sinn Féin after the latest phase of negotiations concluded without a deal.

Secretary of State James Brokenshire plans to press ahead with the implementation of this year's budget and is expected to present it to MPs after this coming week's Westminster recess.

Despite Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar insisting the gap between Stormont's two biggest parties is "narrow" there is little prospect of an immediate breakthrough in the 10-month deadlock.

British government sources said this weekend would be used to reflect on the process ahead of considering further options next week.

A statement from the Northern Ireland Office said the DUP and Sinn Féin were continuing to engage in discussions and that the secretary of state remained committed to securing a deal.

However, spokesmen for both parties told The Irish News there were no talks scheduled.

Sinn Féin's John O’Dowd said his party remained committed to restoring power-sharing.

"The DUP should focus their attentions on ending their denial of rights which citizens enjoy everywhere else on these islands, so we can get local ministers who are best placed to run local public services and prioritise our own political agenda back in place," he said.

"Unless there is a step change on the part of the DUP and both governments on the issues of rights, it is very unlikely we are going to see any agreement in the next period of time which sees the institutions back in place."

He said the issue of rights was "not going to go away".

Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann called on the secretary of state to press ahead with legislating at for a budget.

The North Antrim MLA criticised Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, who warned earlier this week that direct rule would be a breach of the Good Friday Agreement.

He described Mr Adams's comments as "nonsense".

"Sinn Féin often attempt to invoke the Belfast Agreement to give a veneer of respectability to their claims and demands," he said.

"They need to understand that the Belfast Agreement makes clear its acceptance of the principle of consent and the constitutional position of Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom."

Mr Swann said Sinn Féin and its supporters should be thankful that the British government provides almost £10 billion annually to Northern Ireland.