Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tanaiste Simone Coveny at Stormont House this evening
TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar said he is hopeful a deal can be reached between SInn Fein and DUP.
The North of Ireland has had no functioning government for 13 months after Martin McGuinness resgined in January 2017 saying there would be “no returning to the status quo” with the DUP.
The Taoiseach arrived at Stormont House in Belfast with his British counterpart Prime Minister Theresa May earlier in the day raising hopes they were going to announce a deal later.
But it appears they arrived too early, with gaps still in the agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP.
Mr Varadkar said that the Government was in Belfast today to support both parties in their work.
He said that he met British Prime Minister Theresa May to talk about Northern Ireland and Brexit, and said that both governments are of the view that the agreement made back in December still stands.
“The differences that exist between the DUP and Sinn Féin are not insurmountable, and we are very hopeful that those two parties will be able to come to an agreement this week, and then include the other parties,” he said.
“It is our strong view that an inclusive executive including as many parties as possible would be more sustainable and more beneficial for Northern Ireland as a whole,” he added.
He said both governments prefer “Option A” as the best option by which to avoid a hard border.
He said that would be through a comprehensive free-trade and customs arrangement involving Britain and Ireland, and said both governments have an agreement to work together at a sufficient level to explore how that can be achieved over the coming weeks and months.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveny said that today was a very useful day and was an opportunity to reinforce the Government’s commitment to re-establishing power-sharing at Stormont.
He said that he did not think is not helpful to talk about specific issues while the two parties are negotiating and it was up to the parties themselves to comment as they see fit.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has said there is the “basis for an agreement” at Stormont and that an Executive could be “up and running very soon”.
Speaking at Stormont this evening following a meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and with the DUP and Sinn Féin, Mrs May said that “while differences remain, I think there is the basis of an agreement here”.
She added that she hoped that an executive could be “up and running very soon”.
Mrs May said the meetings had been “full and frank”.
She said: “It’s been 13 long months since we last saw devolved government here and I think we are now at the point where it’s time for the local elected representatives to find a way to work together and to deal with, to tackle, the many pressing issues facing Northern Ireland.
“I’ve had full and frank conversations with the five parties and I’ve also met with the Taoiseach.
“While some differences remain, I believe it is possible to see the basis of an agreement.”
Sinn Féin’s new president Mary Lou McDonald has said her party does not believe there is anything insurmountable left to resolve in talks to restore power-sharing at Stormont.
Ms McDonald was speaking after the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister met with Stormont’s main political parties amid growing speculation that a deal to restore the power-sharing government is imminent.
She said that at this juncture what is required is political will to get the institutions back up and running in Northern Ireland.
Ms McDonald also said Sinn Féin now wants to finalise a deal, saying the party is serious about functioning power-sharing.
She added that it is clear that Sinn Féin and the DUP now need to meet, saying the parties will need to engage to bring a deal over the line.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said progress has been made in the talks, adding that the DUP will continue to work to look for more progress.
She also said that her party wants to “make sure what we get is a good deal for the people of Northern Ireland.”
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