Northern Ireland talks at ‘moment of truth’, says Mary Lou McDonald

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (Brian Lawless/PA)

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said crunch talks between the main political parties and the Government on power sharing and funding for Northern Ireland are at a “moment of truth”.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the final session of the three-day talks at Hillsborough Castle, Ms McDonald said the negotiations were drawing to a conclusion following “productive exchanges”.

It comes as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the Commons that the Government “stands ready to legislate” to ensure Northern Ireland remains part of the UK’s internal market, but only if devolved government is restored.

We’re now at a decision-making point for the Treasury in terms of money and for the DUP in terms of power sharing

The Stormont Assembly and executive have been effectively collapsed for more than a year-and-a-half amid DUP protest action over unionist concerns around post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The Northern Ireland Secretary has outlined a £2.5 billion package from the Government, including money to settle outstanding public sector pay demands, which is dependent on a restored power-sharing administration in Belfast.

Ms McDonald told reporters: “We’re now at a decision-making point for the Treasury in terms of money and for the DUP in terms of power sharing.”

She said Northern Ireland’s institutions had to be properly funded and that public-sector workers needed fair pay.

“We are now at the moment of truth, a moment of decision. We are very, very determined that we have government that can deliver for every citizen, every person, here in the North.”

We have set out the case very, very clearly to the British Government, very clearly to the Treasury of what is required financially to meet the needs of the North for public services, for fair pay for public sector workers, and we need a positive response to that

Ms McDonald said there was “uniformity” across all the parties in terms of the financial request from the Government.

“We need a similar unity in purpose and action in terms of getting the executive up and running.”

She said it was time for the DUP to make a decision on returning to power sharing.

“The plan and the purpose of all of this now is to get power sharing back up and running.

“We have set out the case very, very clearly to the British Government, very clearly to the Treasury of what is required financially to meet the needs of the North for public services, for fair pay for public sector workers, and we need a positive response to that.

“And the case for restoring power sharing is unanswerable at this stage, and we’ve equally made that case.”