Sinn Fein agree to back deal to restore devolved government at Stormont

Q Radio news

Sinn Fein has agreed to back a deal to restore powersharing at Stormont - a move that confirms the return of devolved government in Northern Ireland after a three-year absence.

With the DUP having already signalled its support for a draft deal proposed by the UK and Irish governments, the republican party's endorsement means the two parties will re-enter a mandatory coalition in Belfast.

Peace process structures mean a ministerial executive can only function with the inclusion of the largest unionist party and largest nationalist party in the region.

Making the announcement on Friday evening, Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald said: "We now have the basis to restore power sharing, and we're up for that.

"There's no doubt there are serious challenges ahead; the impact of Brexit, austerity and other pressing issues.

"But the biggest and most significant challenge will be ensuring we have genuine power sharing build on equality, respect and integrity."

She added Sinn Fein was "committed" to Irish reunification efforts and to make sure all people across the north and south divide enjoy the same rights.

🎥 It’s a yes ... @sinnfeinireland follows @duponline in accepting the #Stormont devolution deal. @MaryLouMcDonald ... pic.twitter.com/uLv2jHWJp4

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 10, 2020

The wide-ranging deal, which was published by the governments on Thursday night, contains compromise solutions to the vexed disputes at the heart of the 36-month powersharing impasse, such as legislative provisions for Irish language speakers.

It also includes what the UK government has insisted will be a major Treasury-funded financial package to tackle a host of acute problems facing a public sector that has been floundering amid the governance vacuum.

That includes a high-profile industrial dispute in the health service which on Friday saw nurses again walk out on strike.

Under the terms of the deal, the new executive will also take action to reduce spiralling hospital waiting lists; extend mitigation payments for benefit claimants hit by welfare reforms; increase the number of police officers on the beat; and resolve an industrial dispute involving teachers.

The last DUP/Sinn Fein-led coalition government collapsed in January 2017 over a row about a botched green energy scheme.

That row subsequently widened to take in more traditional wrangles on matters such as the Irish language and the thorny legacy of the Troubles.

DUP leader Arlene Foster said the deal recognised there were people in Northern Ireland with an Irish identity and those with a British identity.

She said it offered an "entirely different construct" to Irish language legislation that had been proposed previously.

"This is a deal that recognises that we live in a shared society, this is a deal that recognises that no one identity should be placed over another," she told BBC Radio Ulster.

Ms Foster added: "We are ready to go back into the Assembly.

"I'm not sure other parties are, but we will see where we are during the course of the day.

"I very much hope that the Assembly can meet as quickly as possible so that we can get back to do what we need to do and, indeed, get Northern Ireland moving again."

Ms Foster said there was a need for the government to be "generous" in respect of financial support that accompanied the deal.

She said she had spoken to Sinn Fein's Stormont leader about the deal and expressed hope that the Assembly sitting would go ahead.

"I spoke to Michelle last evening," she said.

"Of course, they will have to go through their own internal discussions and I respect that - I had to go through my internal discussions and, indeed, those discussions will continue during the day, and hopefully we can get to a place where we can have the executive up and running again."

Secretary of State Julian Smith has warned that an accompanying Government finance package will not be forthcoming unless the parties restore Stormont.

"The money is there," he said.

"Let's get back today, get rid of this strike, let nurses get on with their job, and let's transform the economy and transform public services across Northern Ireland."

He told BBC Radio Ulster: "All of the money in the financial package is predicated on politicians in Northern Ireland getting back into the assembly and forming an executive.

"There is no money coming unless the executive gets back up and running."

Mr Smith said the Government would not commit to a figure until devolution returned.

"I am not going to talk about money until politicians get back to Stormont," he said of the total.

"They have been paid salaries for three years whilst others have been having to go to work - now is the time to get back to work and we'll then talk about money."