This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7623172.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Ministers demand executive meets | Ministers demand executive meets |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Ulster Unionist and SDLP ministers have demanded that the Northern Ireland Executive meets. | Ulster Unionist and SDLP ministers have demanded that the Northern Ireland Executive meets. |
| In a joint news conference, Sir Reg Empey, Michael McGimpsey and Margaret Ritchie said vital decisions on suicide and fuel poverty were being delayed. | In a joint news conference, Sir Reg Empey, Michael McGimpsey and Margaret Ritchie said vital decisions on suicide and fuel poverty were being delayed. |
| Talks are ongoing between the DUP and Sinn Féin to break the deadlock. | Talks are ongoing between the DUP and Sinn Féin to break the deadlock. |
| The executive was scheduled to meet on Thursday, but informal talks among the DUP, SDLP and UUP have taken place instead. | The executive was scheduled to meet on Thursday, but informal talks among the DUP, SDLP and UUP have taken place instead. |
| Sinn Fein again demanded proof that the executive would operate "on the basis of true partnership". | |
| Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the appearance of Ms Ritchie alongside the two unionist leaders would raise questions among nationalists about the SDLP's commitment to power-sharing. | |
| First Minister Peter Robinson said the failure to hold a cabinet meeting meant that vital government papers could not be signed off, putting under threat ministerial meetings between ministers from Belfast and Dublin. | First Minister Peter Robinson said the failure to hold a cabinet meeting meant that vital government papers could not be signed off, putting under threat ministerial meetings between ministers from Belfast and Dublin. |
| Given all the goodwill that was bestowed upon us last year, that is being squandered Sir Reg EmpeyUlster Unionist leader | Given all the goodwill that was bestowed upon us last year, that is being squandered Sir Reg EmpeyUlster Unionist leader |
| "Each of us, if there is not an executive meeting taking place, I think will look to urgent procedures because we are not in the business of making people outside suffer," said the first minister. | "Each of us, if there is not an executive meeting taking place, I think will look to urgent procedures because we are not in the business of making people outside suffer," said the first minister. |
| "Others will have to answer for themselves. | "Others will have to answer for themselves. |
| "The executive should be meeting, that is what we are elected to do, that is what we are legally required to do." | "The executive should be meeting, that is what we are elected to do, that is what we are legally required to do." |
| Sir Reg and Ms Ritchie said government departments not run by Sinn Féin politicians would now seek to make progress on issues such as fuel poverty. | Sir Reg and Ms Ritchie said government departments not run by Sinn Féin politicians would now seek to make progress on issues such as fuel poverty. |
| 'Urgent' | 'Urgent' |
| Sir Reg said people with worries about the economy were being let down. | Sir Reg said people with worries about the economy were being let down. |
| "We're in a position of privilege, we're in the position of being given the responsibility to try and provide good government for this region. | "We're in a position of privilege, we're in the position of being given the responsibility to try and provide good government for this region. |
| "Given all the goodwill that was bestowed upon us last year, that is being squandered." | "Given all the goodwill that was bestowed upon us last year, that is being squandered." |
| Ms Ritchie said she hoped to be able to take forward fuel poverty measures with other ministers. | Ms Ritchie said she hoped to be able to take forward fuel poverty measures with other ministers. |
| "But this is a short-term issue because people are urgently wanting to know what we can do for them to keep them warm this winter and that is my urgent concern," she said. | "But this is a short-term issue because people are urgently wanting to know what we can do for them to keep them warm this winter and that is my urgent concern," she said. |
| "So I am happy to enter into discussions with the minister for finance and the minister for the economy and for health to see what we can do collectively." | "So I am happy to enter into discussions with the minister for finance and the minister for the economy and for health to see what we can do collectively." |