Stormont Cabinet unlikely to meet until Autumn

The North's government is unlikely to meet again until the autumn as a result of a stand-off between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin.

Critics hit out at the parties after confirmation that an Executive meeting set for Thursday was cancelled at short notice, with no further meetings scheduled for the rest of the summer.

Opposition parties blamed the delay on divisions between the two biggest parties who are split over the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont.

The Ulster Unionists and the nationalist SDLP who also have seats on the Assembly’s ruling Executive accused Sinn Féin of exercising a veto on Cabinet meetings until the DUP moves on key issues.

The DUP and Sinn Féin, who are deadlocked over issues including the transfer of policing powers and an Irish language act, denied there was a crisis.

SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell said: “I am gravely concerned to learn that the Executive meeting planned for Thursday has been shelved and no date has been set for another one.

“This means the Executive will not have met for more than a month while important issues such as PPS14 (rural planning laws), education reform, water charges and the Maze stadium project remain on the long finger.

“As the DUP and Sinn Féin squabble, people in Northern Ireland are suffering from a crunch in the economy.

“Small businesses, companies and householders are all under severe pressure, as rising energy costs are driving increasing costs of living.”

Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Sir Reg Empey said: “The Executive has not met in over a month and will not do so for a further two months, how is this delivering for the people of Northern Ireland?”

He also raised concerns over the economy and added: “A large amount of non-contentious issues are sitting there because Sinn Fein are effectively using their veto.

“This is all connected to the devolution of policing and justice.

“It is a thing people in Northern Ireland don’t want at the moment and we are being held to ransom by Sinn Féin on this.

“There are obviously discussions taking place between the DUP and Sinn Féin in the First Minister’s office in Stormont Castle but the rest of us are not involved.”

In June, the DUP and Sinn Féin agreed to intensify talks to end the deadlock - but the failure to agree a deal has forced a stand-off that is delaying other government decisions.

Sinn Féin has said the transfer of policing powers was promised in the St Andrew’s Agreement that paved the way for the power-sharing government, but the DUP has blocked the move until more is known of how any new justice ministry would work.

A Sinn Féin spokesman accused the SDLP of failing to resist unionist intransigence and said: “Sinn Féin make no apology for demanding people’s basic rights and entitlements.”

Republicans said Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was ready for talks to resolve the dispute, but denied there was a crisis.

“We have made it very clear, and Martin McGuinness in particular has made it clear he will be here throughout the summer, and what we need to do is discuss these issues out,” said Sinn Féin junior minister Gerry Kelly.

DUP Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson said: “We would refute entirely that the business of government is not being done. It is most certainly being done.”

He said First Minister Peter Robinson and Mr McGuinness met representatives of leading financial institutions on Monday to discuss the impact of the international economic climate.

Mr Donaldson added: “There are however a number of major issues that need to be settled and we are continuing to engage on those.”

Alliance Leader David Ford said the Executive had not met since June 19 and was unlikely now to meet again until September.

“This crisis is deepening by the day,” he said.

“It is time to face facts – this Executive is simply not working.”