Stay up to date with notifications from TheĀ Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Heaton-Harris invites NI parties to fresh talks as election deadline looms

Powersharing is in deadlock due to a DUP boycott in protest at the Northern Ireland Protocol.

David Young
Wednesday 04 January 2023 12:35 EST
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has called for fresh talks (Niall Carson/PA)
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has called for fresh talks (Niall Carson/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Northern Ireland Secretary has invited Stormont leaders to engage in fresh talks ahead of a looming election deadline in the region.

Chris Heaton-Harris has asked the main parties to attend a meeting next Wednesday.

Mr Heaton-Harris convened similar round table discussions with the parties last month as he moved to intensify efforts to resolve the current powersharing deadlock at Stormont.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also travelled to Belfast last month to discuss the political logjam with Stormont leaders.

Devolution has been in flux since February when the DUP withdrew its first minister from the ministerial executive in protest at Brexitā€™s Northern Ireland Protocol.

If a new executive is not formed by January 19, the Government assumes a legal responsibility to call a snap Assembly election by April 13.

Irish premier Leo Varadkar, who was reappointed as taoiseach for a second term last month, is due to visit Northern Ireland before the deadline.

Talks between the UK and EU to resolve the impasse over the contentious trading protocol are continuing with both sides continuing to insist a deal is possible.

The DUP has made clear it will not allow a return to powersharing until radical changes to the protocol are delivered.

The regionā€™s largest unionist party has blocked the formation of a new administration following Mayā€™s Assembly election and prevented the Assembly meeting to conduct legislative business as part of its protest over the Irish Sea trading arrangements.

It claims the protocol has undermined Northern Irelandā€™s place within the United Kingdom by creating economic barriers on trade entering the region from Great Britain.

Mr Heaton-Harris has cut the pay of MLAs by 27.5% to reflect the fact they are currently not doing their jobs as legislators.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in