Northern Ireland

DUP rules out Stormont devolution deal before Christmas

The secretary of state said the British government’s offer was a ‘generous package’.

Leader of the DUP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson
Leader of the DUP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (Liam McBurney/PA)

The DUP has ruled out a deal to restore devolution being agreed before Christmas, according to reports.

The British government had been pushing for a Stormont executive to be formed this week as Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris is to reconvene talks with parties at Hillsborough Castle today.

The British government has offered a lump sum to settle outstanding public sector pay demands and a new fiscal floor for Northern Ireland, but it is dependent on a restored powersharing administration in Belfast.

However the BBC has this morning reported that the DUP position is that there can be no deal before Christmas.

The institutions require the largest unionist and nationalist parties to share power, but the Stormont Assembly and Executive have been effectively collapsed for almost two years amid DUP protest action over unionist concerns around post-Brexit trading arrangements.

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On Saturday, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told party members the government needs to provide “much more” in its offer for Northern Ireland.

However, Sinn Féin MP John Finucane called on Sir Jeffrey to “seize momentum” behind the talks and to return to powersharing.



The Northern Ireland Office said the discussions resuming on Monday will build on last week’s engagements on public finances and ensuring that the Executive is able to “return on a stable footing”.

Officials from the British government and civil service will also support further technical discussions on these issues.

Mr Heaton-Harris said: “I welcome the constructive discussions we had with the parties over the last week.

“The parties have had time to consider the generous package offered by the Government to support Northern Ireland’s public services in the event that the Executive is restored.

“I look forward to discussing final details with the parties over the coming days.”