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Disputed Stormont 'deal' pages leaked Disputed Stormont 'deal' pages leaked
(35 minutes later)
Parts of the draft agreement being worked on by Northern Ireland's two main parties to restore powersharing has been leaked and published.Parts of the draft agreement being worked on by Northern Ireland's two main parties to restore powersharing has been leaked and published.
The Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin disagree on whether or not a deal was on the table before the latest round of talks collapsed last week.The Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin disagree on whether or not a deal was on the table before the latest round of talks collapsed last week.
Sinn Féin said it included an Irish language act, an Ulster Scots act, and respecting language and diversity act.Sinn Féin said it included an Irish language act, an Ulster Scots act, and respecting language and diversity act.
The DUP said the published papers did not "undermine anything" it had said.The DUP said the published papers did not "undermine anything" it had said.
Broadcaster Eamonn Mallie has published 13 pages of a draft document on his website.Broadcaster Eamonn Mallie has published 13 pages of a draft document on his website.
He says: "On page 5 under the heading: Respecting Languages and Culture, there is specific reference to the Irish ( Respecting Language and Diversity) Bill and the Ulster Scots ( Respecting Language and Diversity) Bill and a Respecting Language and Diversity Bill.He says: "On page 5 under the heading: Respecting Languages and Culture, there is specific reference to the Irish ( Respecting Language and Diversity) Bill and the Ulster Scots ( Respecting Language and Diversity) Bill and a Respecting Language and Diversity Bill.
"It has to be stated that square brackets obtain in this eight-line paragraph - meaning it had not yet been signed off and agreed.""It has to be stated that square brackets obtain in this eight-line paragraph - meaning it had not yet been signed off and agreed."
Journalist Brian Rowan, who has been working alongside Mr Mallie, told BBC NI's Spotlight programme that at no stage during the negotiations was there a "done deal".
However, he said he had seen correspondence between senior members of the DUP and Sinn Féin under the heading "draft agreement text".
There were "presentational" issues over the language bills, he suggested, with Sinn Féin viewing them as stand-alone acts but the DUP seeing them as a package.
The papers also show that DUP Arlene Foster would have been first minister in the event of an agreement, he added.
What do the papers say? By BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport
Eamonn Mallie says the 13-page document he has obtained was sent by DUP negotiators to their Sinn Sinn Féin counterparts late on the night of Friday 9 February.
That's five days before the Stormont talks collapsed.
The paper says the two main priorities of any new executive would have been implementing health reforms and dealing with the impact of Brexit.
A section on language confirms plans for three separate bills, dealing with Irish, Ulster Scots and the importance of respect and tolerance.
Square brackets indicate some details may still have been under discussion, but there are clear plans for the creation of Irish and Ulster Scots commissioners, simultaneous translation for people speaking at the Assembly and a translation unit within the finance department.
The document says English would remain the language used in courts, but Irish and other languages could be facilitated when deemed necessary.
On same-sex marriage, the Mallie document says only that the parties hold different policy positions on the issue.
The DUP's Edwin Poots said the party would not be publishing any of the papers as "it would be an act of bad faith".The DUP's Edwin Poots said the party would not be publishing any of the papers as "it would be an act of bad faith".
"If others wish to publish elements of the talks that's a matter for them," he said."If others wish to publish elements of the talks that's a matter for them," he said.
"Such a publication will not undermine anything that the DUP has said in public or private.""Such a publication will not undermine anything that the DUP has said in public or private."
What do the papers say? By BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport Direct rule
The main detail here confirms the proposal to try and avoid a repeat of the disastrous collapse of the executive and the Assembly triggered by the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal.
The 2007 St Andrews Agreement reduced the cooling-off time which had applied after the resignation of a first or deputy first minister from six weeks to one week.
The new deal would have restored this period to six weeks, with a further proviso for it to be extended to 18 weeks where a resolution has not been found.
The language legislation section confirms what has already been reported about a three-stranded approach.
However, the fact this section was in square brackets implies it had not been fully signed off by all parties.
This leaves open a degree of ambiguity over the different versions from Sinn Féin and DUP sources about exactly what had been agreed.
The fact that the paper is described as a "Draft Agreement Text" gives credence to Sinn Féin's assertion that the negotiations were at a very advanced stage.
However, as last week's collapse of the talks process proved, ultimately no agreement was forthcoming.
Sinn Féin and the DUP had been in negotiations to end the 13-month stalemate at Stormont.Sinn Féin and the DUP had been in negotiations to end the 13-month stalemate at Stormont.
The devolved government collapsed in a row over a botched green energy scheme.The devolved government collapsed in a row over a botched green energy scheme.
After the latest talks collapsed on Wednesday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said a deal had been in place the week before.After the latest talks collapsed on Wednesday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said a deal had been in place the week before.
She said the DUP was warned to "close the deal before those opposed to it could unpick" it.She said the DUP was warned to "close the deal before those opposed to it could unpick" it.
DUP leader Arlene Foster has said no draft agreement was in place. The DUP leader has said no draft agreement was in place.
She said the talks failed due to disagreements with Sinn Féin about legislation for the Irish language. Mrs Foster said the talks failed due to disagreements with Sinn Féin about legislation for the Irish language.
Mrs Foster has called on Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley to set a budget and take key decisions about the region's schools, hospitals and infrastructure.Mrs Foster has called on Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley to set a budget and take key decisions about the region's schools, hospitals and infrastructure.
But in an update to MPs on Tuesday, Mrs Bradley declined to immediately re-impose direct rule from Westminster.But in an update to MPs on Tuesday, Mrs Bradley declined to immediately re-impose direct rule from Westminster.
She also raised the prospect of another Assembly election.She also raised the prospect of another Assembly election.
Prime Minister Theresa May is due to meet the DUP and Sinn Féin leaders at the House of Commons on Wednesday.Prime Minister Theresa May is due to meet the DUP and Sinn Féin leaders at the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Mrs May's official spokesman said: "The focus is on restoring devolved government to Northern Ireland."