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20/03/2019
SF: SoS Will Not Attempt To Restore Power-Sharing Before Elections
Sinn Fein has claimed that the Northern Ireland Secretary of State Karen Bradley has no plans to attempt to resolve the Stormont impasse until after the local elections in May.
Party Vice-President Michelle O'Neill made the comments following a phone call with Mrs Bradley, in which she confirmed her intention to extend her legal obligation to call a fresh Assembly election.
Mrs Bradley is obliged to call an election if devolved ministers are not in place by the end of March, but a measure in legislation introduced last year incorporates an option to extend that deadline by five months.
The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill was aimed at allowing time and space for political parties to agree to a return to government, allocating a five-month period when this can be done without further legislation or an Assembly election.
Mrs O'Neill said the Government's reliance on the DUP is the "single biggest impediment" to the restoration of power-sharing, and also criticised Parliament for not acting on issues such as Marriage Equality, an Irish Language Act, legacy bodies and compensation for abuse victims.
"I spoke to the British Secretary of State by phone today and she confirmed that her government will not be making any attempt to restore the power-sharing institutions prior to the local government elections on May 2nd. She also confirmed that she intends to extend by five months the legislation she introduced last year as her supposed plan to restore the institutions. Since then, her government has done absolutely nothing to resolve the issues at the heart of the impasse. Can we expect the same for the next five months?
"Once again, the British Government has shown that it is prepared to legislate when it suits the British Government but refuses to act on issues like Marriage Equality, Acht Gaeilge, the legacy bodies and compensation for victims of institutional abuse."
The Mid Ulster MLA accused the UK Government of being "wholly reliant on the DUP" to cling to power. "This toxic relationship, alongside Brexit, has become the biggest impediment to restoring the power-sharing institutions on the basis of genuine equality and respect.
"The DUP are at complete odds with the cross-community majority of MLAs and public here who oppose their reckless Brexit agenda and their ongoing refusal to treat all citizens equally.
"Power-sharing can and should be restored but that will require Karen Bradley's government finally confronting the DUP's discriminatory agenda and upholding their own responsibilities to citizens and the equality of treatment."
(JG/CM)
Party Vice-President Michelle O'Neill made the comments following a phone call with Mrs Bradley, in which she confirmed her intention to extend her legal obligation to call a fresh Assembly election.
Mrs Bradley is obliged to call an election if devolved ministers are not in place by the end of March, but a measure in legislation introduced last year incorporates an option to extend that deadline by five months.
The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill was aimed at allowing time and space for political parties to agree to a return to government, allocating a five-month period when this can be done without further legislation or an Assembly election.
Mrs O'Neill said the Government's reliance on the DUP is the "single biggest impediment" to the restoration of power-sharing, and also criticised Parliament for not acting on issues such as Marriage Equality, an Irish Language Act, legacy bodies and compensation for abuse victims.
"I spoke to the British Secretary of State by phone today and she confirmed that her government will not be making any attempt to restore the power-sharing institutions prior to the local government elections on May 2nd. She also confirmed that she intends to extend by five months the legislation she introduced last year as her supposed plan to restore the institutions. Since then, her government has done absolutely nothing to resolve the issues at the heart of the impasse. Can we expect the same for the next five months?
"Once again, the British Government has shown that it is prepared to legislate when it suits the British Government but refuses to act on issues like Marriage Equality, Acht Gaeilge, the legacy bodies and compensation for victims of institutional abuse."
The Mid Ulster MLA accused the UK Government of being "wholly reliant on the DUP" to cling to power. "This toxic relationship, alongside Brexit, has become the biggest impediment to restoring the power-sharing institutions on the basis of genuine equality and respect.
"The DUP are at complete odds with the cross-community majority of MLAs and public here who oppose their reckless Brexit agenda and their ongoing refusal to treat all citizens equally.
"Power-sharing can and should be restored but that will require Karen Bradley's government finally confronting the DUP's discriminatory agenda and upholding their own responsibilities to citizens and the equality of treatment."
(JG/CM)
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Fresh talks to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland are to begin next week, the Secretary of state has confirmed. Karen Bradley was speaking alongside Irish foreign affairs Minister Simon Coveney outside Stormont today, 18 January.
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22 November 2011
Hear! Hear! Poots Backs Deaf Kids
A cool £1m has been allocated to a programme that could help restore hearing to 23 children in Northern Ireland. Edwin Poots, the Stormont Health Minister has also announced that a 'scoping study' is to investigate the quality of audiology services overall.
Hear! Hear! Poots Backs Deaf Kids
A cool £1m has been allocated to a programme that could help restore hearing to 23 children in Northern Ireland. Edwin Poots, the Stormont Health Minister has also announced that a 'scoping study' is to investigate the quality of audiology services overall.
14 July 2017
Prime Minister Urged To Intervene In Stormont Deadlock
Prime Minister Theresa May has been urged to intervene to help restore NI's power-sharing executive. House of Lords peers from both the Labour and Conservative parties have called on Mrs May to travel to Northern Ireland in an effort to break the ongoing deadlock at Stormont.
Prime Minister Urged To Intervene In Stormont Deadlock
Prime Minister Theresa May has been urged to intervene to help restore NI's power-sharing executive. House of Lords peers from both the Labour and Conservative parties have called on Mrs May to travel to Northern Ireland in an effort to break the ongoing deadlock at Stormont.
29 June 2017
Deadline Day To Restore Power Sharing In NI
Political parties have until 4pm today, 29 June, to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland. Discussions have been ongoing to resolve outstanding issues to form an Executive. However, Sinn Fein said the DUP have not moved to "address the issues of rights, equality and respect". MLA John O'Dowd said: "The DUP knows what needs to be done.
Deadline Day To Restore Power Sharing In NI
Political parties have until 4pm today, 29 June, to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland. Discussions have been ongoing to resolve outstanding issues to form an Executive. However, Sinn Fein said the DUP have not moved to "address the issues of rights, equality and respect". MLA John O'Dowd said: "The DUP knows what needs to be done.
01 November 2018
NI Politicians Criticise Karen Bradley Over Belfast Meeting
Northern Ireland's politicians have issued scathing criticism of Secretary of State Karen Bradley after she reportedly cut short a meeting to catch a flight. The talks were announced by Mrs Bradley on Wednesday 31 October after she was questioned in the House of Commons on what steps she had taken to restore devolution in Northern Ireland.
NI Politicians Criticise Karen Bradley Over Belfast Meeting
Northern Ireland's politicians have issued scathing criticism of Secretary of State Karen Bradley after she reportedly cut short a meeting to catch a flight. The talks were announced by Mrs Bradley on Wednesday 31 October after she was questioned in the House of Commons on what steps she had taken to restore devolution in Northern Ireland.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
