over 3 years ago

Irish language talks back on at Stormont

Talks at Stormont continue ทดลองเล่นสล็อตxoฟรี late into the night in a bid to break a stalemate over Irish language legislation.

Sinn Féin returned just before midnight on Wednesday to resume negotiations with NI Secretary Brandon Lewis.

He had earlier held meetings with Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Sinn Féin has said it will not support a new DUP first minister unless the UK government intervenes and introduces language laws from Westminster.

Language legislation was part of the deal that restored power-sharing at Stormont last January.

The DUP has not agreed to pass the legislation before the next election.

After first meeting Mr Lewis, the Sinn Féin delegation said it needed clarity and more information before commenting further.

However, just before midnight, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald tweeted she was heading back to see the secretary of state.

The DUP left without speaking to the media.

'Only way forward'

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the "whole" deal that restored power-sharing at Stormont last January should be implemented.

Mr Johnson said people in Northern Ireland wanted a "stable, functioning and mature executive".

He was responding in the House of Commons to a question from former NI Secretary Julian Smith, who said it was "vital" parties stuck to the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) commitments.

Mr Smith said the government should act as a "backstop" if the Stormont parties cannot make progress.

Arlene Foster resigned as first minister on Monday, six weeks after she was overthrown as the leader of the DUP.

What is the language dispute about?

The stand-off between the two largest parties at Stormont over language and culture law potentially threatens the future of power-sharing.

It centres on the implementation of the New Decade, New Approach agreement, which was made in January 2020.

The deal includes an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression, an Irish language commissioner and a commissioner to enhance and develop the language and culture of the Ulster-Scots/Ulster-British tradition.

One of the key areas the parties disagreed on during the talks was over demands for a standalone Irish language act.

Sinn Féin wants the legislation passed before the end of the current NI Assembly term in May 2022, but the DUP has not given that commitment.