Politics

Bill sets June 29 deadline for Stormont agreement

James Brokenshire has set a June 29 deadline for establishing an executive. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire
James Brokenshire has set a June 29 deadline for establishing an executive. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire James Brokenshire has set a June 29 deadline for establishing an executive. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire

THE DUP and Sinn Féin have been given until three weeks after the June 8 election to agree a deal to restore the Stormont executive.

Legislation published yesterday by Secretary of State James Brokenshire sets a final deadline of June 29 for the talks' conclusion.

It is the fourth such deadline since the March 2 assembly election.

The bill gives Stormont's parties the legal authority to convene the assembly and appoint executive ministers at any point up to June 29.

It also enables the setting of the north's regional rate for the next financial year.

The move will see the regional rate component - normally set by Stormont - increased in line with inflation and clear the way for councils, who have set district rates, to send bills out to households and businesses.

The secretary of state hopes the legislation will be fast-tracked through Westminster.

In a statement, Mr Brokenshire said efforts over recent weeks had been focused on "re-establishing inclusive, devolved government" and the forthcoming general election did not alter that focus.

"This bill will therefore enable an executive to be formed in the coming days should an agreement be reached," he said.

"However, if an agreement is not possible before the general election, it is right that we provide flexibility for an incoming government to act in the best interests of Northern Ireland and the space for the parties to conclude a deal."

Hopes of securing a deal by a previous deadline of "early May" were scuppered this week with Theresa May's announcement of a snap general election.

It was felt that adversarial campaigning would make agreement impossible.

The main stumbling blocks in the negotiations have been the Irish language and legacy issues.

A second assembly election this year remains a possibility if the parties fail to strike a deal by late June, but it is unlikely it would take place until the autumn.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said his party is "committed to resolving the challenges we face".

"The challenge of reaching a resolution has been made much more difficult by Theresa May’s decision to call a Westminster election," he said.

"The extension of the deadline again reflects the chaos at the heart of the British government’s decision making, both in relation to these talks and on Brexit."

Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said the latest deadline extension should not be an excuse to let negotiations drift.

"While the secretary of state has provided some further breathing space to allow an executive to be formed, no-one should forget that we are rapidly heading towards a real budget crisis," he said.

"Parties cannot be complacent about this window and allow Northern Ireland to endure further weeks of rudderless drifting."

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's northern leader Michelle O'Neill travelled to London yesterday to highlight her party's desire for special EU status for the north.

She was accompanied by the party's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald and Mid Ulster MP Francie Molloy.

"It is clear there is a recognition across Europe of the unique circumstances of the island of Ireland and in particular the severe consequences of a hard economic border which will be a major setback for our peace process, the Good Friday Agreement and the progress of the past 20 years," Ms O'Neill said.