Foster’s warning over power-sharing

It is for Sinn Fein to decide where they want those powers to lie ARLENE FOSTER BELFAST YESTERDAY

DUP leader Arlene Foster has told Sinn Fein chiefs if they are concerned about her party’s influence at Westminster they should move to restore devolution. Mrs Foster delivered the blunt message as she rejected its claim the anticipated Dup/conservative deal would undermine the political process. She warned that a consequence of failing to re-establish the Stormont Executive would be the return of direct rule Mrs Foster said: “If others decide that they are not coming back into the devolved administration here in Northern Ireland then those issues will have to be dealt with at Westminster. “It is really for Sinn Fein to decide where they want those powers to lie.” Her remarks came after other Stormont parties insisted Secretary of State James Brokenshire could not chair the efforts to restore power-sharing. They are adamant the Government can no longer cast itself as a neutral facilitator in the process, given Prime Minister Theresa May’s intent to form a minority government with the help of a confidence-and-supply deal with the DUP. The dispute has prompted renewed calls for a chairman from outside the UK and Ireland to be appointed. Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said: “Our resolve is to see these institutions put in place on the basis they were founded upon as quickly as possible. “That could be done this time tomorrow morning or dinner time today. They are all rights issues subject to previous agreements. “We made clear at the beginning of these talks that James Brokenshire is not an acceptable chair.” Earlier, the Secretary of State appeared to rule out an independent mediator to chair the Stormont discussions. DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds asked would Sinn Fein rule itself out of any future coalition government in the Republic. He said: “I think the people of the Irish Republic would be very, very interested, as would other members of other political parties, to know before they fight the next election whether or not Sinn Fein are going to rule themselves out of government on the basis that is a breach of the Good Friday Agreement? “Because if that’s what they say about us, then it applies to them equally.” Mr Brokenshire, who said the Government remained “four square” behind the Good Friday Agreement, has warned the latest deadline for agreement – June 29 – is “final and immovable”. The Republic’s Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said it was important all of the parties and both governments ensure the deadline is met for restoration. He added: “While the landscape has dramatically changed over the weekend the issues are exactly the same. “We want to ensure that every opportunity is given to the parties here to have the powersharing institutions restored.”

DISPUTE James Brokenshire