Northern Ireland minister promises “pragmatic” legislative approach to restore power-sharing
Northern Ireland's minister has promised to introduce “pragmatic” legislation in his latest attempt to break the political deadlock in the region.
Chris Heaton-Harris announced his intention to introduce the new legislation in a statement following the end of Stormont's last recovery deadline on Thursday 18 December.
He said his new approach would be “pragmatic, relevant and limited”.
Heaton-Harris was obliged to call new elections if the institutions were not restored by 18 January.
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The Northern Ireland Secretary insisted his legislation would also “support Northern Ireland departments to address the immediate and obvious challenges they face in stabilizing public services and finances”.
The Stormont Assembly has been in limbo for nearly two years, with the Democratic Unionist Party refusing to take part until unionist concerns over post-Brexit trade arrangements are addressed
Currently, senior civil servants run Stormont departments with limited powers.
The DUP, led by Sir Geoffrey Donaldson, maintained its position in its latest failed attempt to recall the Assembly following a motion by nationalist party Sinn Féin on Wednesday.
A few minutes after midnight, Heaton-Harris issued a statement indicating his intention to introduce new legislation.
After more than 150,000 public sector workers walked off the ground on Thursday over an ongoing pay dispute, Heaton-Harris said events in Northern Ireland this week “showed the urgent action needed to address the whole range of issues facing before Northern Ireland”.
He continued: “I continue to believe that the current Northern Ireland Executive is best placed to act quickly and effectively to address these issues.
“In the absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive, I will keep Parliament informed of the next steps.
“I intend to introduce new legislation that will take a pragmatic, appropriate and limited approach to addressing the formation period of the executive and support Northern Ireland departments to address the immediate and clear challenges they face in stabilizing public services and finances.”
The government has proposed a financial package worth more than £3 billion — including money to pay public sector bonuses — contingent on Stormont being reopened.
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