Update: SDLP wants DUP and Sinn Féin Stormont talk 'compromises' made public

Details of powersharing compromises allegedly conceded by the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin must be made public, the SDLP leader has said.

Update: SDLP wants DUP and Sinn Féin Stormont talk 'compromises' made public

Update 7.45pm: Details of powersharing compromises allegedly conceded by the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin must be made public, the SDLP leader has said.

On the first day of last-ditch talks to save the crisis-hit institutions, Colum Eastwood said the Irish and UK governments had told him Stormont's two main parties had given significant ground on key sticking points last November and were very close to a deal.

He said it was time for the DUP and Sinn Féin to stop pretending to the public they had not shifted their negotiation positions.

"We are not interested in propping up a farce and it's about time we began to be honest with the public because the two governments have both confirmed to us today what we all already know - that last November both the DUP and Sinn Féin compromised significantly, compromised significantly, and they are denying that truth to the public," he said.

Colum Eastwood
Colum Eastwood

"Why they are doing that I cannot understand."

He added: "Stop trying to pretend to the public that nobody has moved and nobody has compromised."

The first days of the latest round of negotiations saw Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and Tánaiste and foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney meet with the five main Stormont parties.

The DUP and Sinn Féin met with both government ministers together.

More than a year since the institutions imploded, and with financial pressures mounting on the region's rudderless public services, the UK Government has characterised the initiative as a final opportunity to salvage the devolved institutions.

The DUP/Sinn Féin-led coalition crashed down amid a row over a botched green energy scheme but the rift between the two largest parties subsequently widened to take in more longstanding cultural and legacy disputes.

Proposals to protect Irish language speakers, the ban on same-sex marriage and a lack of consensus on how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles remain key areas of disagreement.

A series of rounds of talks over the last 12 months have failed, with deadline after deadline set by the UK Government falling by the wayside.

Faltering exchanges last autumn were confined to behind-closed-doors discussions solely involving the DUP and Sinn Fein. Mr Eastwood claimed those discussions saw both parties offer major compromises.

Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said his party held a forthright and honest meeting with Mrs Bradley on Wednesday, during which they stressed the need for an inclusive process.

"We won't simply be here as window dressing," he said.

Mr Swann also called for clarity on progress made during previous negotiations between the DUP and Sinn Féin.

"We see no point in joining a process to rehearse or regurgitate arguments and discussions that have already been," he said.

"We need to see the baselines. There is no point going in and wasting another week and a half establishing or regurgitating arguments that have already been had."

With the region having no local ministers to agree a budget for the next financial year, the UK Government will face increased pressure to reintroduce a form of Westminster direct rule if the latest talks bid fails.

Mrs Bradley is due to update the House of Commons on the state of play on February 7.

She has insisted this is not a deadline, rather a "milestone".

- PA

Update 4.19pm: Ulster Unionist leader calls for inclusive five party talks

Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said his party held a forthright and honest meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley during which they stressed the need for an inclusive five party talks process.

He said: "We won't simply be here as window dressing."

Mr Swann also called for clarity on progress made during previous negotiations between the DUP and Sinn Féin.

He added: "We see no point in joining a process to rehearse or regurgitate arguments and discussions that have already been. We need to see the baselines.

"There is no point going in and wasting another week and a half establishing or regurgitating arguments that have already been had."

Sinn Féin's Elisha McCallion, Mary Lou McDonald, Michellle O'Neill and Conor Murphy arrive at Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast this morning. Pic: Niall Carson /PA Wire
Sinn Féin's Elisha McCallion, Mary Lou McDonald, Michellle O'Neill and Conor Murphy arrive at Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast this morning. Pic: Niall Carson /PA Wire

Earlier: Stormont to host last-ditch talks to save NI powersharing

Last-ditch negotiations to save powersharing in Northern Ireland will begin at Stormont later.

More than a year since the institutions imploded, and with financial pressures mounting on the North's rudderless public services, the UK Government has characterised the talks as a final opportunity to salvage the devolved institutions.

The Democratic Unionist/Sinn Féin-led coalition crashed down amid a row over a botched green energy scheme but the rift between the two largest parties subsequently widened to take in more longstanding cultural and legacy disputes.

Proposals to protect Irish language speakers, the ban on same-sex marriage and a lack of consensus on how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles remain key areas of disagreement.

A series of rounds of talks over the last 12 months have failed, with deadline after deadline set by the UK Government falling by the wayside.

Faltering exchanges last autumn were confined to behind-closed-doors discussions solely involving the DUP and Sinn Féin.

The latest initiative will involve all five of the main Stormont parties, with the Ulster Unionists, the SDLP and Alliance all promised a role in the talks.

Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and Tánaiste Simon Coveney will also participate.

With the North having no local ministers to agree a budget for the next financial year, the UK Government will face increased pressure to reintroduce a form of Westminster direct rule if the latest talks bid fails.

Mrs Bradley is due to update the British House of Commons on the state of play on February 7.

She has insisted this is not a deadline, rather a "milestone".

Ahead of the renewed talks, Mr Coveney said: "I do not dispute that there are difficult negotiations ahead for the parties and we all know that time is short.

"However, everyone agrees that devolution and a powersharing Executive are in the interests of everyone in Northern Ireland and I believe everyone is willing to strive to achieve that."

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