LAST UPDATE | 23 Jan
A NEW DEADLINE for resurrecting a powersharing executive at Stormont is set to be fixed for 8 February.
The devolved institutions at Stormont have been collapsed for almost two years as a result of a DUP boycott in protest against the post-Brexit trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Senior civil servants are running Stormont departments, with limited powers, in the absence of local ministers.
The UK government will introduce a short one-line Bill at Westminster tomorrow to set the new date after the last one lapsed on 18 January.
Under legislation governing the formation of a devolved administration in Belfast, the UK government assumes a legal duty to call a snap assembly election once a deadline for forming a ministerial executive is passed.
However, in the face of a series of missed deadlines in the current powersharing impasse, the UK government has repeatedly opted to pass fresh legislation to set new deadlines, rather than opting for an election.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton Harris is set to do so again tomorrow, albeit with a relatively short extension this time.
The move suggests the UK government remains hopeful a settlement can be reached within the next two weeks to enable powersharing to return to Northern Ireland.
Heaton-Harris said before Christmas that his negotiations with the DUP over the Windsor Framework had concluded.
Although the party has been holding out since then for more clarification on the UK government’s proposals, it appears to be approaching the juncture when it decides whether to reject or accept the deal that would end the powersharing deadlock.
Senior DUP figures held discussions on Friday amid mounting speculation the unionist party was preparing to make a call on whether or not to accept a UK government deal.
However, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson yesterday said an agreement with the UK government over post-Brexit trading arrangements, which would allow the powersharing institutions to be restored, has still not been reached.
Instead, he said that he will meet the government again this week to address remaining concerns over the Windsor Framework.
Donaldson must secure the backing of his party officers, and it is understood several of them believe the UK government’s offer does not go far enough to warrant the party dropping its blockade on Stormont.
Announcing the new deadline, Heaton-Harris said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “Tomorrow I will be introducing the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill to allow for the reformation of Stormont.
“The Bill only has a single clause: to extend the period of time Stormont can legitimately come back until February 8.
“I am committed to restoring devolution and significant progress has been made towards that objective. I believe that this Bill, with the constrained timescales, will be sufficient.”
I am committed to restoring devolution and significant progress has been made towards that objective. I believe that this Bill, with the constrained timescales, will be sufficient.
— Chris Heaton-Harris MP (@chhcalling) January 23, 2024
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After the new deadline was confirmed, a DUP spokesman made clear a deal to restore Stormont had not yet been secured.
“The introduction of this Bill by the Secretary of State is recognition that, while significant progress has been made, to date an agreement has not been reached,” he said.
Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill said it was “decision time” for the DUP.
“People have rightly had enough of the DUPs inaction,” she said.
“They need mature and positive leadership focused on delivering for them. My message to the DUP is to work with us, get round the executive table and make a difference to people’s lives,” she said.
“Thousands of public sector workers educating our children, caring for patients in our hospitals and running our transport services are once again being forced to take industrial action for the pay rises being denied to them.
“It is time for action. Workers and their families cannot be left in the lurch any longer. The DUP leader should do the right thing and restore the democratic institutions.”
People have rightly had enough of the DUPs inaction.
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) January 23, 2024
They need mature and positive leadership focused on delivering for them.
My message to the DUP is to work with us, get round the Executive table and make a difference to people’s lives.
Thousands of public sector workers…
The SDLP said it would to amend the legislation being tabled by the UK government to introduce a reform to powersharing structures that would remove that ability of any party to veto the functioning of the Assembly.
The party will propose a further amendment that would place an obligation on the Secretary of State to deliver a stalled pay award for public sector workers in Northern Ireland.
In December, the UK Government offered a £3.3 billion (€3.85 billion) package to stabilise finances in Northern Ireland, including £600 million (€700 million) to settle public sector pay claims.
However, it will only be available when the Stormont institutions are restored.
Thousands of public sector workers took part in strike action on Thursday, where calls were made for Heaton-Harris to release the funds for pay claims and for the DUP to return to Stormont.
Includes reporting by Press Association
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