SDLP leader Colum said that halfway through the timeframe for talks, there has been no full plenary meeting involving all parties and both governments.
In a statement, the Foyle MLA said:
“Throughout the election campaign, we all asked people to come out and vote so that we could deliver on manifesto commitments and change their lives for the better.
“We asked for their votes to deliver a different kind of government. It is our responsibility now to do all in our power to return a power sharing government.
“We’re now halfway through the time available for these negotiations and there still hasn’t been a full plenary meeting of all parties and both governments.
“There have been positive bilateral discussions and good will on all sides to negotiate a settlement that will deliver a return to government but we now need to take things up a gear.
“The SDLP is here with our sleeves rolled up, ready to do business.
The public expects no less from any party. It’s time that we all got round the same table and started making firmer progress,” added the SDLP leader.
