The British government has voiced optimism about a possible deal between the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin that could lead to the restoration of power sharing in Northern Ireland.
After a day of discussions between the parties at Stormont, a UK government spokesman said “an agreement in the coming days, while not certain, is achievable”.
The spokesman added that “good progress has been in discussions during this latest phase of talks but some difficult issues remain”. These issues includes Sinn Féin demands for an Irish Language Act, which the DUP has so far resisted during months of unsuccessful negotiations. Karen Bradley, the Northern Ireland secretary, will report to parliament on Wednesday about the progress in the talks.
But a senior DUP assembly member and former minister warned on Monday night that “significant gaps remain” between them and Sinn Féin.
Simon Hamilton, a former devolved health and later finance minister during nearly 10 years of power-sharing regional government, said: “People are calling out for a devolved government. Decisions need to be made on health, education and in the job sector, so this cannot be a drawn-out process.”
Sinn Féin negotiator and former minister Conor Murphy also acknowledged that significant gaps remain between the two main parties. The clock is ticking towards another crucial political deadline this week.
The head of the Northern Ireland civil service, David Sterling, told MPs last week that there needed to be a budget set for the region by 8 February. If there is no deal and no local politicians to approve of the regional budget then it will have to be imposed by Westminster.
