THE DUP and Sinn Fein are preparing to strike a deal to restore the Stormont powersharing Executive, claims the SDLP.
Party leader Colum Eastwood claimed it is not a matter of if but when the Executive is restored.
The Foyle MLA was speaking ahead of round-table talks between the main parties at Stormont Castle this evening, Wednesday, June 21.
He said said his assessment of the ongoing negotiations is that both Sinn Fein and the DUP want back into government together.
“There will be a deal, whether next week or in the autumn, so let’s get on with it.
“People need to see certainty here. It is clear people want in. Sinn Fein want in, the DUP want in.
“If people think anyone is going to sign a deal here without knowing what is going to come from London – that doesn’t make any sense at all.
“We are all a bit preoccupied with what is going on, or not going on, in London.
“It is quite clear that the DUP and Tory Party aren’t quite sure what they are doing, but they need to get on with it because it is affecting the process here.
“People need to know what is coming from that deal.”
Referring to reports that the DUP has asked for significant investment in health and infrastructure in Northern Ireland as part of a parliamentary deal, Mr Eastwood said any money secured is for the whole of the region.
“The DUP need to understand that if there is a financial package coming that it is not the DUP’s money.
“It is all of the people of Northern Ireland’s money.
“We will be asking hard questions about where that money goes.
“We can’t have a re-run of the past 10 years when the previous Stormont Executive effectively re-partitioned Northern Ireland economically,” he said.
Parties have until June 29 to re-establish a coalition executive or they face the prospect of direct rule being reimposed from Westminster.
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