Politics

Westminster time earmarked for Northern Ireland matters

James Brokenshire urged the DUP and Sinn Féin to 'harness a spirit of compromise'. Picture by Simon Graham
James Brokenshire urged the DUP and Sinn Féin to 'harness a spirit of compromise'. Picture by Simon Graham James Brokenshire urged the DUP and Sinn Féin to 'harness a spirit of compromise'. Picture by Simon Graham

LEGISLATION providing for the restoration of the Stormont executive could be passed at Westminster as early as next Monday.

The leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, yesterday revealed that she had earmarked unspecified time in next week's business schedule for MPs to consider moves to put the devolved institutions back in place.

However, in the absence of agreement between the DUP and Sinn Féin, the slot at Westminster may be used to set a budget for the north.

It is understood legislation has been drafted for both scenarios.

Responding to questions from her Labour counterpart Valerie Vaz about MPs' forthcoming business, Ms Leadsom said: "She will be aware that we're very hopeful that there may be some good news coming from Northern Ireland that might enable legislation to recreate the Northern Ireland Executive.

"We always wait hopefully that that will be the case and other legislation that can come up at the last minute."

Her remarks came as Secretary of State James Brokenshire urged the DUP and Sinn Féin to "harness a spirit of compromise and reach agreement".

Stormont's two parties have been involved in renewed talks aimed at restoring devolution for the past month.

While the British government has refused to put a deadline on the talks' conclusion, Mr Brokenshire has said that if there is no successful outcome there will be a need to put a regional budget in place over the coming weeks.

He said yesterday that he was reluctant to see more political decisions made at Westminster rather than Belfast.

"But if a deal is not reached imminently, that greater intervention – beginning with Westminster legislation to set a 2017/18 budget for Northern Ireland – risks becoming inevitable," he said.

"This would be a big step backwards, a step I do not want to have to take, but I will not shirk from my ultimate responsibility for good governance and political stability in Northern Ireland."

The secretary of state said that while a deal was still possible and some progress had been made, "clear differences still remain between the parties".

"If this cannot be resolved quickly, I will need to legislate for a budget for Northern Ireland by the end of this month and consider next steps," he said.

As the talking between the parties continued at Stormont, Sinn Féin northern leader Michelle O’Neill repeated her call for the implementation of previous agreements.

"We have been engaged over recent days in intensive talks to get the political institutions up and running with equality, respect and integrity at their core," she said.

"A new executive can only be sustainable if there is an end to the denial of rights which citizens enjoy everywhere else across these islands."

She said "very real challenges" had still to be addressed.