Oral statement to Parliament. Secretary of State’s Oral Statement to Parliament on the political situation in Northern Ireland (3 July 2017)

Following a Parliamentary Assembly election in Northern Ireland on the 2 March 2017, Northern Ireland’s political parties failed to reach an agreement by the 27 March 2017 that would allow a new power-sharing Executive to be formed by the due deadline.

In order to facilitate further discussions between the parties, the UK Parliament passed legislation immediately prior to dissolution extending the period in which an Executive could be formed until 29 June 2017.

Intensive negotiations continued between the parties concerned, notably between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin, but no agreement had been made by 29 June 2017.

On the 3 July 2017 the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, made a statement to the House of Commons, in which he said progress had been made in the negotiations and he would give a few more days for a devolved government to be formed. Otherwise, 'direct rule' from from Westminster might have to be introduced.

• Primary Source

UK: GOV.UK: Northern Ireland Office: Northern Ireland political stability https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/northern-ireland-political-stability

ESO: Background information: Following the break down of talks in Northern Ireland, what now? http://www.europeansources.info/record/following-the-break-down-of-talks-in-northern-ireland-what-now-following-mondays-deadline-the-future-of-devolved-government-in-northern-ireland-remains-uncertain/

ESO: Background information: Election 2017: DUP agrees 'confidence' deal with Tories / Theresa May under pressure as DUP says: ‘Show some respect' http://www.europeansources.info/record/election-2017-dup-agrees-confidence-deal-with-tories-theresa-may-under-pressure-as-dup-says-show-some-respect-conservative-and-dup-agreement-and-uk-government-financial-suppo/

The Guardian, 02.07.17: Sinn Féin denies seeking 'cultural supremacy' via Irish Language Act https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/02/sinn-fein-denies-seeking-cultural-supremacy-via-irish-language-act

The Guardian, 03.07.17: Northern Ireland: DUP and Sinn Féin granted more time to reach deal https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/03/northern-ireland-dup-and-sinn-fein-granted-more-time-to-reach-deal

BBC News, 03.07.17: Stormont power-sharing deal 'remains achievable' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-40470691

Deutsche Welle, 03.07.17: Britain grants more time for Northern Ireland power-sharing talks http://p.dw.com/p/2frUx

UK: GOV.UK: Northern Ireland Office: News Story, 04.07.17: Political talks update by Secretary of State (4 July 2017) https://www.gov.uk/government/news/political-talks-update-by-secretary-of-state-4-july-2017--2

BBC News, 04.07.17: Stormont talks: Brokenshire to 'reflect' amid ongoing deadlock http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-40489510

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