Politicians broadly welcome Stormont-saving deal

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Mr Martin has welcomed the deal

By Q Radio News and PA

Political leaders have broadly welcomed the deal struck late last night with Brandon Lewis that will see Westminster push through Irish language legislation if the Executive fails to do so before October.

The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said he "warmly welcomes" the agreement between the Secretary of State, the DUP and Sinn Fein.

“The stability of the Northern Ireland Executive and the full operation of all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are critical for the peace and security of the people of Northern Ireland, and for all the people of these islands,” he said in a statement.

“Finding a way forward on delivery of key commitments in the New Decade, New Approach agreement is important progress.

“I look forward to working closely with the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

“We share significant challenges ahead to build economic and societal recovery as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There is much we can do together in terms of practical cooperation for the benefit of people across this island.”

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney, also welcomed the development, saying it will allow the Northern Ireland Executive to continue its “essential work” on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.

Mr Coveney said the package of language and identity legislation agreed in New Decade, New Approach deal was “detailed and balanced” and should be implemented.

“This would be better done in the Assembly as agreed last year but it is welcome that the Secretary of State has given an assurance these positive measures agreed in support of linguistic diversity and cultural expression in Northern Ireland are now to be put in place through legislation in Westminster if necessary,” he added.

 

Meanwhile Naomi Long, leader of the Alliance party, said she welcomed the deal but that the delays and deadlock had dented confidence in power-sharing, between politicians themselves, and between political leaders and voters.

She said: "I am relieved that the drama has finally ended and we can now get back to the real business of serving the people of Northern Ireland with a First Minister and deputy First Minister in place. It is just a shame that so much time has been squandered in the last week that could have been put to good use addressing serious issues as an executive.

"And instead had to be used to re-negotiate agreements made in the New Decade New Approach agreement because the DUP refused to follow through on commitments that it made.

"If we are going to make politics in Northern Ireland work we need to make our word mean something when we give it. We need to build trust between politicians as well as between politicians and the public and unfortunately, the recent spectacle really hasn't helped that at all."

The leader of the SDLP, Colum Eastwood also welcomed the resolution to the stalemate, but said lack of action on the New Decade New Approach deal had knocked confidence in the ability of the Executive to achieve anything.

He added: "The truth is, however, that we should never have been in this position. The DUP and Sinn Féin need to grow up and faithfully take forward the commitments they made when they agreed to restore devolved government on the basis of New Decade New Approach. That means all of the commitments including addressing the waiting list crisis, expanding higher education and providing new jobs for all our communities."

Deputy leader of the party, Nichola Mallon, said the SDLP in Westminster will be "holding the government's feet to the fire" to make sure the legislation is delivered.

She said: "The SDLP will be there, in Westminster, we take our seats. And we will be holding the British Government's feet to the fire to make sure there is delivery for those of us who cherish the Irish language and those of us who respect all cultures."

(Activists have been campaigning for an Irish Language Act for many years)

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