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Stormont talks: Coveney confident of 'new beginning' Stormont talks: Coveney confident of 'new beginning'
(about 1 hour later)
Talks aimed at breaking almost three years of political deadlock in Northern Ireland are set to resume on Thursday.Talks aimed at breaking almost three years of political deadlock in Northern Ireland are set to resume on Thursday.
Discussions were paused over the Christmas holidays after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was accused of holding up a deal.Discussions were paused over the Christmas holidays after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was accused of holding up a deal.
Devolved government has been inactive since January 2017, when the DUP and Sinn Féin split in a bitter row.Devolved government has been inactive since January 2017, when the DUP and Sinn Féin split in a bitter row.
Parties have until 13 January to reach agreement or a new assembly election could be called.Parties have until 13 January to reach agreement or a new assembly election could be called.
On Wednesday, Tánaiste (Irish Deputy PM) Simon Coveney said he hoped the new year would bring a "new beginning for politics in Northern Ireland."On Wednesday, Tánaiste (Irish Deputy PM) Simon Coveney said he hoped the new year would bring a "new beginning for politics in Northern Ireland."
Analysis: Election could be loomingAnalysis: Election could be looming
By Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI Political ReporterBy Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI Political Reporter
The Stormont parties have just 12 days to reach a deal, otherwise Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith has insisted the only other option is another election.The Stormont parties have just 12 days to reach a deal, otherwise Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith has insisted the only other option is another election.
While that has also been a warning from previous secretaries of state, this time it does not appear to be an empty threat.While that has also been a warning from previous secretaries of state, this time it does not appear to be an empty threat.
It's understood the basis of an agreement is there which will require all parties to get quickly on board.It's understood the basis of an agreement is there which will require all parties to get quickly on board.
Before Christmas the DUP was accused of holding back, but it said it had concerns over an Irish language act and reforming the petition of concern.Before Christmas the DUP was accused of holding back, but it said it had concerns over an Irish language act and reforming the petition of concern.
But that was 2019.But that was 2019.
Now it's a new year, the British and Irish governments will be expecting a new way of thinking, given the three year anniversary of Stormont's collapse is fast approaching.Now it's a new year, the British and Irish governments will be expecting a new way of thinking, given the three year anniversary of Stormont's collapse is fast approaching.
Before the talks were paused, Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith said the parties and the British and Irish governments were "very close" to a deal.Before the talks were paused, Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith said the parties and the British and Irish governments were "very close" to a deal.
But he said not all parties were "on board".But he said not all parties were "on board".
Speaking to BBC Radio Good Morning Ulster programme on Thursday, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said the talks had faltered over the petition of concern, the assembly's controversial veto system.
It is a mechanism aimed at ensuring legislation has cross-community support.
Mrs Long said proposed reform to the petition had been devised by her party, the SDLP, and the Ulster Unionists, and was accepted by Sinn Féin, as well as the Irish and UK governments - but was rejected by the DUP.
She said without reforms to the petition, "you might as well open your diary now and pencil in a crisis in four or five months time, because that is exactly what will happen".
The DUP's Edwin Poots said there had been "some effort by others to box us into a corner and force us into a position where we do not get a fair and balanced deal".The DUP's Edwin Poots said there had been "some effort by others to box us into a corner and force us into a position where we do not get a fair and balanced deal".