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Power sharing: 'Now is the moment' to restore devolution Power sharing: 'Now is the moment' to restore devolution
(about 2 hours later)
Now is the moment to restore devolution in Northern Ireland, Julian Smith has said.Now is the moment to restore devolution in Northern Ireland, Julian Smith has said.
The Northern Ireland secretary was speaking after talks aimed at restoring the assembly began on Monday.The Northern Ireland secretary was speaking after talks aimed at restoring the assembly began on Monday.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has been inactive since January 2017, when its two biggest parties, the DUP and Sinn Féin, split in a bitter row.The Northern Ireland Assembly has been inactive since January 2017, when its two biggest parties, the DUP and Sinn Féin, split in a bitter row.
Mr Smith said the biggest issue in the negotiations should be dealing with the current crisis in the health sector.Mr Smith said the biggest issue in the negotiations should be dealing with the current crisis in the health sector.
He met the leaders of Northern Ireland's five biggest parties.He met the leaders of Northern Ireland's five biggest parties.
Meanwhile, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Simon Byrne, wrote to the leaders on Monday calling on them to agree on how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles and requesting support to hire more officers.Meanwhile, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Simon Byrne, wrote to the leaders on Monday calling on them to agree on how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles and requesting support to hire more officers.
The talks follow a pledge from the UK and Irish governments to restore the power-sharing executive.The talks follow a pledge from the UK and Irish governments to restore the power-sharing executive.
Round-table talks are set to happen later in the week which will involve the parties, Mr Smith and the Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Coveney.Round-table talks are set to happen later in the week which will involve the parties, Mr Smith and the Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Coveney.
Several rounds of talks to restore the executive have ended in failure, with the two parties unable to resolve differences over issues such as the Irish language or how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.Several rounds of talks to restore the executive have ended in failure, with the two parties unable to resolve differences over issues such as the Irish language or how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.
In the general election last Thursday both the DUP and Sinn Féin saw their share of the vote fall.In the general election last Thursday both the DUP and Sinn Féin saw their share of the vote fall.
Mr Smith said the results had given the five parties "serious issues" to reflect on - but maintained he is obliged to call a fresh assembly election if a deal is not reached by 13 January.Mr Smith said the results had given the five parties "serious issues" to reflect on - but maintained he is obliged to call a fresh assembly election if a deal is not reached by 13 January.
Speaking after meeting Mr Smith, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said their discussion was "constructive and positive" but she added her party would not go back into an assembly that was "a stop-start mess".Speaking after meeting Mr Smith, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said their discussion was "constructive and positive" but she added her party would not go back into an assembly that was "a stop-start mess".
Mrs Long also said there was a draft document regarding a deal but that it is not complete.Mrs Long also said there was a draft document regarding a deal but that it is not complete.
She said discussions between the parties over the next week would seek to build on it.She said discussions between the parties over the next week would seek to build on it.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the general election result showed people were "sick of the Stormont standoff".SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the general election result showed people were "sick of the Stormont standoff".
After meeting Mr Smith, he said the British and Irish governments should, in the next couple of days, publish a document detailing what has been agreed so far.After meeting Mr Smith, he said the British and Irish governments should, in the next couple of days, publish a document detailing what has been agreed so far.
"They should force the parties to say yes or no," he added."They should force the parties to say yes or no," he added.
Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken said he did not believe a deal was likely before Christmas.Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken said he did not believe a deal was likely before Christmas.
He called for reforms to be made, and said the "core issues which undermined devolution previously" must be addressed.He called for reforms to be made, and said the "core issues which undermined devolution previously" must be addressed.
'Clear message''Clear message'
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster said she hoped there would be an assembly up and running at the beginning of the year.Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster said she hoped there would be an assembly up and running at the beginning of the year.
She added that all politicians had to take responsibility for the lack of devolution.She added that all politicians had to take responsibility for the lack of devolution.
She told BBC Radio Four's Today programme the DUP would "enter the talks in a spirit of looking to find accommodation".She told BBC Radio Four's Today programme the DUP would "enter the talks in a spirit of looking to find accommodation".
'Pivotal moment''Pivotal moment'
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said the Stormont talks process was at a "crucial and pivotal moment".Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said the Stormont talks process was at a "crucial and pivotal moment".
Ms McDonald met Mr Smith along with the party's vice president Michelle O'Neill and assembly member Conor Murphy.Ms McDonald met Mr Smith along with the party's vice president Michelle O'Neill and assembly member Conor Murphy.
She said the talks needed to be about resolution and delivery, but that Sinn Féin had also asked for a "big cash injection" for public services.She said the talks needed to be about resolution and delivery, but that Sinn Féin had also asked for a "big cash injection" for public services.
She did not say how much exactly the party had asked for, or what the government's response was.She did not say how much exactly the party had asked for, or what the government's response was.
She also said her party would not be drawn into publicly discussing negotiating red lines - but would enter into the talks with goodwill.She also said her party would not be drawn into publicly discussing negotiating red lines - but would enter into the talks with goodwill.
Stormont back on the agenda Compromise unlikely before Christmas?
By Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI political reporterBy Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI political reporter
With the DUP and Sinn Féin both suffering some bruising defeats in Thursday's election, the focus has shifted back to Stormont. One by one the parties emerged optimistic from talks, claiming a deal is possible.
Julian Smith has kept his role in Boris Johnson's cabinet as the Northern Ireland secretary, insisting talks must reach a breakthrough before 13 January, or he will be legally required to call a fresh assembly election. The general election results have changed the mood, and Julian Smith maintains if power sharing is not restored by 13 January, a fresh assembly election will be called.
It seems unlikely the two biggest parties would relish another election so soon - but, we have been here before. The DUP and Sinn Féin are unlikely to relish that prospect, and seem to be softening their respective negotiating stances.
There are still hurdles to overcome, if a deal is to be brokered quickly. Alliance and the SDLP say they do not fear another election while the Ulster Unionists wants direct rule, if a deal isn't reached soon.
The five parties will hold a roundtable meeting with the British and Irish governments on Wednesday, but so far it seems unlikely that a pre-Christmas compromise is on the cards.
Top priorityTop priority
During a phone call on Friday evening, Mr Johnson and Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar said they would work closely with the Northern Ireland parties to help bring back devolution.During a phone call on Friday evening, Mr Johnson and Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar said they would work closely with the Northern Ireland parties to help bring back devolution.
They also agreed on the importance of a close relationship between the UK and Ireland.They also agreed on the importance of a close relationship between the UK and Ireland.
Mr Johnson updated the taoiseach on the timings for the reintroduction of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill next week and its passage through Parliament to ensure the UK leaves the EU on 31 January.Mr Johnson updated the taoiseach on the timings for the reintroduction of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill next week and its passage through Parliament to ensure the UK leaves the EU on 31 January.
The prime minister made clear in the phone call his top priority was the restoration of a functioning executive as soon as possible.The prime minister made clear in the phone call his top priority was the restoration of a functioning executive as soon as possible.
He said Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith would dedicate himself to the talks process.He said Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith would dedicate himself to the talks process.
Mr Smith has previously said the consequences would be "profound" if the assembly was not restored soon.Mr Smith has previously said the consequences would be "profound" if the assembly was not restored soon.