Restored executive not done deal yet - Hain warns

The restoration of devolution to the North is not a done deal, Peter Hain warned today.

The Northern Ireland Secretary said there would be consequences, including the enforcement of water charges, if devolution failed.

"It is not a done deal and I think there is some final negotiations to be had," he said.

"I want all the politicians to be absolutely crystal clear that March 26 is the date set by Parliament and endorsed by the people on March 7."

"There is no getting past it, there is no trying to duck it or dodge it or come back afterwards and say can we start up again. That is it."

The Irish and British governments want a power-sharing executive, comprising of four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP, to be set up at Stormont by March 26.

However, Mr Hain does not seem as optimistic as Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that the parties will come to an agreement.

He stressed that water bills were ready to pop through letter boxes of household across the North Ireland if power-sharing failed.

"We are holding them [bills] to allow the incoming executive get some breathing space to decide what it wants to do with this and other policies," he told BBC Northern Ireland radio.

"My constituents pay water charges, so do those in England and Scotland and why shouldn't people in Northern Ireland?"

"But the executive and the parties take a different view, and the people on the doorstep take a very different view, have told their parties, get in there and do something about it on that and other issues."

The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002.