The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, has today announced that he will extend the period that Stormont has to be restored until 8 February 2024.
The previous deadline to form an Executive passed last week, so the NI Secretary was due to call an Assembly election. This extension means that an election will not be called until at least February.
I am committed to restoring devolution and significant progress has been made towards that objective. I believe that this Bill, with the constrained timescales, will be sufficient.
— Chris Heaton-Harris MP (@chhcalling) January 23, 2024
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Chris Heaton-Harris posted on X earlier today that he is “committed to restoring devolution and significant progress has been made towards that objective” and that this extension “will be sufficient”.
The Democratic Unionist Party, who have been in talks with the UK government, released a statement following the Secretary of State’s announcement.
“The introduction of this Bill by the Secretary of State is recognition that, whilst significant progress has been made, to date an agreement has not been reached.
We will continue to engage with the Government as we seek to successfully finalise all the remaining outstanding issues between us. We are working to that end. The Government knows our view that it is only when we have resolved the remaining outstanding issues that we will be able to bring about the necessary conditions for the return of devolved Government.”
– DUP spokesperson
SDLP table amendment to Executive formation legislation
The Social Democratic and Labour Party have tabled an amendment to the emergency legislation.
Their amendment attempts to reform the process for electing an Assembly speaker to a two-thirds majority, which would remove the one party veto on the reformation of the Assembly.
It will also place an obligation on Chris Heaton-Harris to deliver a pay award for public sector workers in Northern Ireland.
Our statement: pic.twitter.com/H1bVvXRS0Y
— The SDLP (@SDLPlive) January 23, 2024
Sinn Fein vice-president, Michelle O’Neill, released a statement on X saying that “the DUP leader should do the right thing and restore the democratic institutions”.
People have rightly had enough of the DUPs inaction.
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) January 23, 2024
They need mature and positive leadership focused on delivering for them.
My message to the DUP is to work with us, get round the Executive table and make a difference to people’s lives.
Thousands of public sector workers…
