Politics

James Brokenshire: Short window of opportunity exists to break Stormont deadlock

 Secretary of State James Brokenshire makes a statement outside his office at Stormont House. Picture by Niall Carson, PA
 Secretary of State James Brokenshire makes a statement outside his office at Stormont House. Picture by Niall Carson, PA  Secretary of State James Brokenshire makes a statement outside his office at Stormont House. Picture by Niall Carson, PA

Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire has said a "short window of opportunity" exists to restore a powersharing executive in the region.

As the deadline to form a new Stormont administration passed at 4pm today, following last month's snap elections, Mr Brokenshire said there remains "an overwhelming desire" for strong and stable devolved government.

"We now have a short window of opportunity to resolve outstanding issues and for an executive to be formed," he said at a press conference outside Stormont House.

"Everyone owes it to the people of Northern Ireland to grasp that and provide the political leadership and stability that they want."

Mr Brokenshire said he would make a full statement in the House of Commons on Tuesday setting out a way forward.

Outlining a time-frame for cross-party talks, he said: "On timing, there are a short few weeks in order to resolve matters.

"The reason I say that is because of the stark issue in relation to public services here in Northern Ireland and the lack of a budget having been set, and therefore it is the impact on public services on having an extended period that is very much at the forefront of my mind in terms of the responsibilities that we have as the UK Government to provide that assurance to the public here."

Mr Brokenshire added: "Ultimately, this will be resolved by the parties themselves getting around the table to bridge the gaps that are there in respect of the differences we known still exist."

Declining to say whether an independent intermediary could be appointed to broker crisis talks, he would only say the British Government would be playing a key role.

Dublin's Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said it was "particularly concerning that a vacuum in devolved government" is occurring "just as the island of Ireland faces up to the many serious challenges represented by the UK exit from the EU".

"The Irish Government will continue to advocate very strongly for Northern Ireland's interests to be protected. However, there is no substitute for an executive speaking with one voice on these critical issues."