British and Irish governments to intervene in Stormont stalemate

The British and Irish governments plan to hold talks with the North's five main parties next week to test is there any way of ending the logjam that is threatening the Stormont institutions.

The Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan have scheduled a "review and monitoring meeting of the Stormont House Agreement" for Tuesday at Stormont House.

The two Ministers decided to invite the leaders of the DUP, Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Ulster Unionist Party and Alliance to the meeting after it became clear from Thursday’s meeting of the Northern Executive that local politicians have no idea how to end the stalemate.

The mood at the Executive was one of quiet recrimination with the DUP, UUP and Alliance chiefly blaming Sinn Féin for the crisis because it blocked the welfare bill in the Assembly this week. Sinn Féin in turn said it was the fault of the British government for pursuing a policy of austerity.

The DUP Finance Minister Arlene Foster said she hoped to meet Ministers and officials from the British Treasury next week to “discuss generally the ways forward” although she and other Ministers conceded there was “no clarity” on what should happen next.

Ministers were unable on Thursday to agree a budget for the rest of this financial year with Ms Foster warning that there would be an unsustainable budget shortfall of more than £600 million up to April next year.

Ms Villiers on Friday wrote to the five party leaders inviting them to the talks.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in a statement said: “The failure this week of the welfare bill to secure approval in the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the consequent budgetary implications, have a direct and major impact on the prospects for implementing the totality of the Stormont House Agreement.

“Accordingly, following consultation with the British government, it has been decided that a review and monitoring meeting of the Stormont House Agreement will take place on Tuesday. Invitations have today been extended to the leaders of the Northern Ireland Executive parties. Minister Charlie Flanagan will lead the Irish Government delegation.”