Stormont: 'get back to work' plea as political parties meet Sec of State for talks
They were confronted by health care workers protesting over pay
Chants of 'get back to work' greeted politicians arriving for talks today (Monday) at Hillsborough Castle with Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris.
Party leaders were confronted by public sector union representatives over the ongoing pay dispute as they entered Hillsborough castle ahead of all-party talks with NI secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
Stephanie Greenwood, chairperson of Unison, said to Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill: "You promised us in 2019 pay parity, we're just asking you to deliver on that promise."
Ms O'Neill said: "That's the case that we're going to make very strongly to Chris Heaton-Harris today."
Ms Greenwood added: "Can you please send him (Mr Heaton-Harris) out because he's been playing hide and seek", to which Ms O'Neill replied: "He's been playing hide and seek with everybody."
Mr Heaton-Harris has said progress is being made in negotiations with the DUP on the Windsor Framework, but he would not be giving a "running commentary".
He said that as part of his focus to "deliver for" people in Northern Ireland, the UK Government has worked to address the DUP's concerns on the framework, a set of trading arrangements for the region post-Brexit.
"I continue to engage with the DUP and, as I've said before, these discussions are making progress, but I'm not going to provide a running commentary," he said outside Hillsborough Castle on Monday.
"Alongside those negotiations, I'm now convening the Northern Ireland party leaders here today at Hillsborough Castle to talk about ensuring financial stability and sustainability for Northern Ireland.
"I want to agree the basis upon which the Northern Ireland Executive can return on a stable financial footing.
"I also want to ensure that public services are able to meet the needs of the people of Northern Ireland.
"The UK Government is willing to help but all of these issues can be best addressed by the return of locally accountable institutions built on secure foundations. I hope our work together over the next few days will do exactly that."