THE DUP has again insisted that it will block any attempt by Sinn Féin to introduce an Irish language Act in the Northern Assembly, although it is prepared to countenance a "strategy" for the language.
Senior Sinn Féin and DUP politicians have been meeting in recent weeks to try to reach agreement on a wide range of contentious issues, including an Irish language Act, that have been stalling political movement and slowing down the work of the Executive.
Some progress is reported on the key issue of how and when policing and justice powers would be transferred from British direct-rule ministers to the Northern Executive. One of the main proposals here is that an Alliance minister would have responsibility for justice.
DUP First Minister Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are also attempting to find some common ground on issues such as a replacement for the 11-plus educational transfer test and the proposed stadium at the old Maze prison site.
But the DUP is refusing to budge on the Irish language Act, which is a key demand of Sinn Féin and in particular of Gerry Adams, a language enthusiast.
The absence of progress also appears to be having an impact on the Northern Executive, which hasn't met since the middle of June, shortly after Mr Robinson replaced the Rev Ian Paisley as First Minister. There is no meeting scheduled for this week, while there is no certainty that a meeting scheduled for next week will take place, according to senior political sources. Ministerial holiday arrangements could result in further cancellations through late July and August.
The British and Irish governments and the parties so far appear satisfied that the absence of agreement and the failure of the Executive to meet is not going to escalate into a new political crisis. The lack of normal collective ministerial responsibility, as expressed through regular cabinet meetings, must be causing concern, however.
Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward has appealed to Sinn Féin and the DUP to resolve their differences over issues such as education, the Maze and policing and justice. He also urged the parties to reduce the tensions over the Irish language.
There has been speculation that if politicians in the North can't resolve the stand-off over the Irish language Act, that the British government would go over the heads of the politicians and introduce the Act at Westminster.
Mr Woodward, however, has said the Irish language issue is a devolved matter and must be resolved by the North's politicians.
A senior DUP source speaking to The Irish Timeswas adamant that the DUP would never sign up to an Irish language Act. "It's not going to happen," he said. The same source, however, said that there could be movement around the Northern Executive agreeing a "strategy for the Irish language".
