Taoiseach Enda Kenny and British prime minister David Cameron this morning abruptly quit the Northern talks after the parties failed to agree a range of issues such as the past, flags and parades.
Mr Kenny and Mr Cameron exited Stormont House with the British prime minister insisting he had offered “financial firepower” of up to £1 billion to the Northern Executive over the coming five to six years, if the parties had been prepared to strike a deal.
As the recrimination began, Sinn Féin and some of the other parties claimed the financial package on offer was insufficient and amounted to loan-raising powers rather than financial commitments.
Sinn Féin Education Minister John O’Dowd described what was on the table as “derisory”.
Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness added: “There is a common view among the Northern Executive that none of us believe that this is a credible financial package.”
Comprehensive outline
The two leaders last night had presented the parties with a paper which they contended was a comprehensive outline of a realistic deal that could be achieved.
But they left early notwithstanding their officials earlier stating they would remain at the talks until at least this evening.
Their shock departure caught everyone by surprise and was viewed as a judgment by the Taoiseach and prime minister that they needed to deliver a sharp “reality check” to the parties.
It was also viewed as a sober realisation by the British and Irish governments that after nine weeks of negotiations the parties weren’t sufficiently close to finalising agreement on the key issues of the past, parades and flags.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams reflected the parties’ annoyance and sense of surprise by tweeting this was the “most amateurish, ham-fisted episode” he had ever been involved in.
Reciprocation sought
Mr Kenny and Mr Cameron however made clear that they believed that no serious progress had been made and that the parties weren’t really close to a deal. They also made clear that no concrete financial package could be on offer until there was reciprocation from the parties.
"A deal hasn't been possible," said Mr Cameron. "What I hope will happen now is the politicians here in Northern Ireland will work together to agree these vital issues about parades, about flags, about the past, about their budget. If they come to agreement then that sort of financial power can come to bear. But if there isn't agreement that financial firepower isn't there," he said.
“But I think things are better today than they were yesterday,” added Mr Cameron.
Mr Kenny said the governments would continue to work with the parties to try to end the impasse.
“Politically there is not agreement on the issues that were tabled last evening. That does not mean that the politicians who were elected and who have responsibility devolved to them cannot conclude on a number of these matters,” said Mr Kenny.
‘Not possible to conclude’
“From my point of view and I am sure from the prime minister’s point of view we will be available to come back whenever a deal is concluded by the political process here and move the opportunity for the people of Northern Ireland to have a better place in the future. It was not possible to conclude it today but good work has been done,” added Mr Kenny.
The chances of a deal, as the Northern parties viewed it, hinged on a financial package from the British prime minister. But Mr McGuinness stated sardonically: “We were distinctly underwhelmed by his generosity.” He said no “new money” was on offer.
Mr McGuinness warned if the difficulties weren’t resolved before Christmas there was little prospect of a deal in the New Year.
