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Stormont talks: Brokenshire sets month-end deadline Stormont talks: Brokenshire sets month-end deadline
(about 1 hour later)
The latest date for a Northern Ireland Executive to be formed to pass a budget is the week beginning 6 November, according to James Brokenshire.The latest date for a Northern Ireland Executive to be formed to pass a budget is the week beginning 6 November, according to James Brokenshire.
The Northern Ireland secretary said that would mean legislation would have to pass through Westminster by the end of this month.The Northern Ireland secretary said that would mean legislation would have to pass through Westminster by the end of this month.
Parties would have to agree a deal by 30 October for that to happen.Parties would have to agree a deal by 30 October for that to happen.
Mr Brokenshire said that the prospects of a deal to restore devolution do not look "positive".Mr Brokenshire said that the prospects of a deal to restore devolution do not look "positive".
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin have been holding talks in a bid to end months of political deadlock at Stormont.The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin have been holding talks in a bid to end months of political deadlock at Stormont.
The executive collapsed in January and Northern Ireland has been without a power-sharing government since then.The executive collapsed in January and Northern Ireland has been without a power-sharing government since then.
In spite endless rounds of discussions, a deal to restore devolution has proved elusive with the introduction of an Irish language act seen as the main issue.In spite endless rounds of discussions, a deal to restore devolution has proved elusive with the introduction of an Irish language act seen as the main issue.
'Pressure over MLAs' pay''Pressure over MLAs' pay'
Mr Brokenshire gave his assessment of the negotiations to the cross-party Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster.Mr Brokenshire gave his assessment of the negotiations to the cross-party Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster.
He also told MPs that progress in the intensive talks had "stalled at the end of last week".He also told MPs that progress in the intensive talks had "stalled at the end of last week".
The stumbling blocks between the DUP and Sinn Féin are on language and culture, he said.The stumbling blocks between the DUP and Sinn Féin are on language and culture, he said.
Mr Brokenshire also told the committee that he "recognises public pressure" over the issue of MLAs' pay.Mr Brokenshire also told the committee that he "recognises public pressure" over the issue of MLAs' pay.
He said he would will keep issue "under examination" and will deal with it if there is no progress.He said he would will keep issue "under examination" and will deal with it if there is no progress.
The Westminster select committee is charged with investigating Northern Irish matters, including the role of the Northern Ireland Office.The Westminster select committee is charged with investigating Northern Irish matters, including the role of the Northern Ireland Office.
'No deal, no recommendation'
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill said she is still hopeful of a positive resolution, but added: "Clearly we are quickly running out of road."Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill said she is still hopeful of a positive resolution, but added: "Clearly we are quickly running out of road."
The party's Stormont leader said "considerable challenges still remain" if the Stormont institutions are to be restored. She denied claims in the Irish Times that she had been ready to make a deal with the DUP but had been overruled by senior party figures.
Mrs O'Neill said she had "no deal, or no recommendation even" to put to a meeting of the party's ard chomairle (executive board) last weekend..
Party leader Gerry Adams said the Irish government was "sleep-walking into a deeper crisis in Anglo-Irish relationships" in relation to a possible return to direct rule.
'Callous disregard for patients''Callous disregard for patients'
Other political parties in Northern Ireland have voiced their frustration with the situation.Other political parties in Northern Ireland have voiced their frustration with the situation.
Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said Mr Brokenshire had a responsibility to "look at options to allow other parties to get on with the job".Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said Mr Brokenshire had a responsibility to "look at options to allow other parties to get on with the job".
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the two main parties "have brought us to the brink of direct rule."SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the two main parties "have brought us to the brink of direct rule."
"For the nationalist community, after years of trying to bring power back to Irish soil in order that local people could make local decisions, it should be a source of great anger that all of that power and progress is now being handed back to a Tory/DUP government in London," he added."For the nationalist community, after years of trying to bring power back to Irish soil in order that local people could make local decisions, it should be a source of great anger that all of that power and progress is now being handed back to a Tory/DUP government in London," he added.
The Alliance Party's health spokeswoman Paula Bradshaw accused the parties of "showing a callous disregard for patient care".The Alliance Party's health spokeswoman Paula Bradshaw accused the parties of "showing a callous disregard for patient care".
"Issues such as missed targets and long waiting lists have direct consequences on people's quality of life," she said."Issues such as missed targets and long waiting lists have direct consequences on people's quality of life," she said.
"Yet still we see parties putting their own narrow sectional interests ahead of the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of people," she added."Yet still we see parties putting their own narrow sectional interests ahead of the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of people," she added.