Brokenshire: NI could face direct rule if no powersharing deal agreed
Failure to form a new powersharing executive in Northern Ireland by early May will force another snap election or a return to direct rule from London, the UK government has warned Stormont's rowing politicians.
Secretary of State James Brokenshire issued the ultimatum as a second deadline to reach a deal fell by the wayside.
Mr Brokenshire had effectively given the local parties until Good Friday to find consensus, but with no sign of an agreement on the horizon he has shifted the timetable once again.
I believe that the outstanding issues between the parties are surmountable, but if no executive is formed by early May, I will need to take further steps to ensure Northern Ireland has the political stability it needs,'' he said.
This is likely to mean, however undesirable, either a second election or a return to decision making from Westminster.''
The current phase of talks were instigated after parties missed a previous deadline to form a new coalition executive following March's snap election.
Sinn Fein and the DUP, whose agreement is a prerequisite of forming an administration, are at loggerheads over a range of issues, each blaming the other for the impasse.
Round-table negotiations involving the two main parties, as well as the Ulster Unionists, SDLP, Alliance Party and the UK and Irish governments, will now pause until after Easter.
With talks destined to break down on Friday without a deal, extending the deadline has avoided any unfavourable comparisons with the Good Friday peace agreement of 1998.
Devolution first crashed in January over a row about a botched green energy scheme.
The subsequent snap election campaign laid bare a series of other disputes dividing the DUP and Sinn Fein, including legal protections for Irish language speakers and the region's ongoing ban on same-sex marriage.
Sinn Fein is also at odds with the UK government on stalled mechanisms to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.
The March 2 election brought an end to Stormont's unionist majority and the DUP's lead over Sinn Fein was cut from 10 seats to one.
Mr Brokenshire said round-table talks would be suspended over Easter but bilateral meetings would continue.
All the parties have been actively engaged and some further progress has been made, including on the formation of an executive and on legacy,'' he said.
There is, however, still a lack of agreement between the parties on a small but significant number of issues.
The restoration of devolved government remains achievable, but more time and a more focused engagement on the critical issues are required.
The parties will have a final opportunity after Easter to reach agreement, building on the discussions which have taken place over the past six weeks.''
He confirmed he would commence legislative steps at Westminster to stabilise the finances of the rudderless administration, by passing a law to enable the circulation of rates bills that pay for local council services.
He said he would also amend legislation to allow an executive to be formed in early May if a deal materialises.
If no consensus is reached, he said the Government would either call another snap election or suspend devolution and reinstate direct rule from London.
Irish foreign minister Charlie Flanagan said an agreement was not only desirable but achievable.
All parties have made clear that they want to see the devolved powersharing institutions up and running,'' he said.
That is also the firm objective of both governments and it is clearly the outcome that serves the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland.''