Two weeks to save Stormont: DUP's Hamilton says 'heavy dose of realism required' from Sinn Fein to reach deal

Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill has given the fresh round of Stormont talks a time frame of two weeks as she confirmed her party will enter a "time limited short intensive talks process".

It comes as Secretary of State Karen Bradley announced a fresh round of talks due to start next week aimed at breaking the political deadlock at Stormont saying it was the last chance to reach a deal.

She would not say if there was a deadline, or if she would tackle the issue of MLAs' pay - which has been recommended should be cut. However, she said Parliament would receive an update on progress by February 7.

Reacting Michelle O'Neill said: "I have confirmed Sinn Fein are prepared to enter into a time-limited short intensive talks process which we will see rolled out over the course of the next two weeks.

"For our part we have always been determined to make these institutions work. We also know the basis in which they need to work in that is they need to deliver for all citizens.

"They will only have the confidence of the public if they serve everyone equally.

"Over the course of the next two weeks that will be the test of whether the British government and DUP embrace the principal in which these institutions need to be restetablished."

“Both governments have a responsibility for rights and equality under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement."

When asked how long the process would be Ms O'Neill said there "no public appetite for a long drawn-out talks process".

She said: "We have to use this time wisely. We want to make the institutions work. We embrace it, we go in in the next two weeks and the test will be in the discussions that we have.

"I've always said the issue we are dealing with is not about process, it's about political will.

"We need to see how can we move forward and the best way is to embrace power-sharing, deliver on quality and rights for all citizens.

"We don't have an appetite for a long drawn-out process. We need to decide whether we can restore the institutions in the way they were intended.

"We have a short window in front of us."

DUP MLA Simon Hamilton welcomed the announcement of the talks but said it was "more than apparent" that time was short. He also welcomed the "willingness of Sinn Fein to re-enter talks".

He said: "It is now incumbent on all of us to get round the table and build on progress made to date, to get devolution back up and running again so local ministers can take decisions that matter to the people of Northern Ireland and get devolution up and running again and working for everybody across the province."

Mr Hamilton said he was "reluctant" to talk about deadlines but said the party did not want to see direct rule.

He added: "There is an opportunity to build (on progress).

"But that will require some realism from Sinn Fein. If we are going to get a deal that gets devolution up and running again it needs to be a balanced deal. Sinn Fein need to waken up to that realism and re-engage in the talks on that basis.

"I think we can achieve a deal but it will require a lot of effort and a significant dose of realism from Sinn Fein."

He added: "We don't want direct rule to be restored but we want government in Northern Ireland.

"...In the absence of a deal it is incumbent on the Secretary of State to move quickly to ensure there are ministers in place who can take those decisions.

"Northern Ireland needs government and if that has to come from direct rule ministers so be it."

He added: "We didn't walk away from talks - so I welcome their (Sinn Fein's) willingness to re-engage."

Alliance leader Naomi Long gave a "cautious welcome" to the talks announcement but said they needed to have an "independent mediator" if they are to suceed.

She said: “The DUP and Sinn Fein have had since last summer to talk amongst themselves. Whilst we have continued to offer solutions, engage in bilateral meetings with other parties and the two Governments, the level of meaningful engagement in the talks process outside of those two parties has been extremely limited since then.

"That drift has been against the backdrop of people losing jobs, budgets being cut and services being put under further pressure.

“That phase of the process has failed to deliver any tangible progress and it is now time for all parties to be directly involved. We not only need a change of pace in these talks but a marked change in attitude from the two largest parties, if we are to see the Assembly restored.

“The appointment of an independent facilitator would be another significant step forward and we are disappointed that has not yet happened. Alliance first raised this matter before last summer and we were told there was no time for someone to get across the issues which were close to resolution.

“Seven months later, we are no further on and rather than waste further time, a facilitator should be appointed immediately. If we are to have a successful talks process with a sustainable deal, an impartial chair will increase that likelihood dramatically.”

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the party is coming to the new talks process with the "will to solve the problems" but questioned whether anything had changed with the new format.

He said: "The SDLP will not be window dressing in any negotiations process.

"I've spoken to the leadership of both the Alliance and UUP and this needs to be properly inclusive.

"The progress made between Sinn Fein and DUP needs to be published.

"We have no interest in negotiating blind."

He added: "We should all always be up for the task of talking to each other and trying to solve our problems.

"There is division here and the only way to run this place is in partnership and we will have to compromise every day."

UUP leader Robin Swann MLA warned that the process should not repeat the mistakes of the past.

Mr Swann said: "We welcome the formal announcement of talks by the Secretary of State Karen Bradley. It's what we have been calling for for many months. It's an opportunity which should be seized.

“We also need to be realistic. If parties are going into these talks demanding the implementation of their red lines, then we`ll be on the road to nowhere. Hopefully we will see some realism take hold.

“Given the state of our Health Service, our education sector and how the lack of any form of functioning government impacts on people's lives, people are demanding that politicians get on with the job. Now is the time.

"This process should not repeat the mistakes of last year's, excluding other parties and letting the process drift along. It needs to be open and transparent so that all the political parties are aware of just how close, or not, Sinn Fein and the DUP came to agreement last year. We need all the cards on the table and we need to see what the DUP and SF have agreed to date and what differences still remain.”

Belfast Telegraph