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Sinn Féin: Lack of conclusion to devolution talks 'a charade'

Liam McBurney Sir Jeffrey DonaldsonLiam McBurney
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said on Monday that talks with the UK government would continue

Sinn Féin has described as a "charade" the lack of a conclusion to talks between the DUP and the government aimed at restoring power sharing.

On Monday DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said more talks would begin this week, after things stalled before Christmas.

But Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy urged Sir Jeffrey to make a decision.

"The charade of back and forth needs to end," Mr Murphy, a former finance minister, said.

He also accused the UK government of facilitating talks for "far too long" - and said MLAs should have been back behind their desks at Stormont by now.

PA Media Sinn Féin politician Conor MurphyPA Media
Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy has described as a "charade" the lack of a conclusion to talks between the DUP and the government aimed at restoring power sharing

In December, the Northern Ireland secretary said the negotiations to restore devolved government were over.

Pointing to a £3.3bn financial package if the executive returns, Chris Heaton-Harris said that it was "time for decisions".

But on Monday, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson insisted the talks would continue.

"I will be talking to the UK government this week and the idea that they're not willing to talk is simply not true," Sir Jeffrey said on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme.

"We hope to hear from them when we meet them this week on what further progress has been made.

"They are discussions of substance - they are not some form of play acting," he added.

"I want to make progress in the weeks ahead so that we can see Northern Ireland's place within the UK and its internal market restored, and we have a sustainable basis for restoring our political institutions."

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office later told BBC News NI the secretary of state and his team were "continuing to engage with all parties to find a way forward and support executive restoration".

NI talks over: Party leaders' reactions in 90 seconds

During last month's talks to restore power sharing, the government offered what it described as a "generous package" of £3.3bn - including a provision to cover a £584m public sector pay deal.

But the talks ended with the DUP ruling out a return to Stormont before Christmas.

The party collapsed the devolved institutions almost two years ago in protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland.

Speaking before Christmas, Sir Jeffrey called on the Northern Ireland secretary to increase public sector salaries.

He also said he expected further meetings to be held "shortly after Christmas".

Describing the DUP's stance as "disappointing", Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Micheál Martin said the DUP's Stormont boycott was a "denial of democracy".