The Irish and British governments have sought to apply further pressure on the DUP following the conclusion of the talks aimed at restoring devolution.
In a surprise move, Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris called time on the multi-party talks at Hillsborough Castle on Tuesday, saying both the negotiations around a financial package for a restored executive and the British government’s engagement with the DUP had concluded.
Tánaiste and foreign affairs minister Micheál Martin quickly added his voice to those calling for Stormont’s immediate return, saying it was not acceptable that last year’s assembly did not result in an executive being formed.
But Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has insisted there has been no final agreement with the British government over his party’s concerns about post-Brexit trading arrangements.
Despite the secretary of state’s claims to the contrary, the DUP leader said there was “not yet agreement finalised on the issues of substance”.
His remarks come after eight months of negotiations with the British government following February’s breakthrough UK-EU Windsor Framework deal.
Mr Heaton-Harris unveiled an updated financial package that adds around £1bn to that tabled last week.
He said the revised offer “reasonably and generously responds” to concerns raised by Stormont’s parties over the past week.
The secretary of state said the £3.3bn package represented a final offer.
But arguably his most significant remarks were in relation to the negotiations with the DUP, which has asked for reassurances around Northern Ireland’s place in the UK single market.
“From our perspective, those talks, all the issues of substance have reached a conclusion,” he said.
He said the UK government were “always happy to answer concerns and questions on this” but added: “It is now the time for decisions to be made.”
But Sir Jeffrey insisted the DUP would continue to its engagement.
“We are not for giving up, we want to get this right, it is important for the future of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom that we secure the change that is required to restore our place within the United Kingdom and its internal market,” he said.
The Lagan Valley MP also said that he felt the money on offer was “not yet a basis within that financial offer to deliver the financial stability that Northern Ireland needs in the years ahead”.
Sinn Féin president Mary-Lou McDonald stressed that it was time for Sir Jeffrey to make a decision.
“The DUP know that this is a window of opportunity and as they put it, in Jeffrey Donaldson’s own words, this is a decision point,” she said.
“The work is done, a decision has to be taken to recall the assembly and to have the executive up and running, and that cannot happen soon enough as far as we are concerned.”
Alliance leader Naomi Long said it was clear the talks were over.
“To be honest, this is starting to feel a bit like a bad breakup, where one person has listed themselves on Facebook as single and the other one is still claiming it’s complicated,” she said.
“These talks are over, it could not have been clearer today that that’s where we’re at.”
Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said it was “very clear” that negotiations over the Windsor Framework had concluded.
“The process is when you start bringing everybody else into this and tell us where you are,” he said.
“The negotiations on substantive issues, the Secretary of State was very clear, that is done.”
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it was time for the aspiring executive parties to “close out a deal”.
“This is a moment for calm leadership and for confident leaders to emerge and make the tough decisions needed to restore devolution,” he said.