PROGRESS has been made overnight – but no deal will be made today at Stormont.
That’s according to Prime Minister David Cameron, who has met with Taoiseach Enda Kenny to broker a deal on political deadlock in the North of Ireland.
Both Cameron and Enda Kenny have left Belfast this morning without a deal being struck.
Issues surrounding welfare cuts and budgets have stalled progress, despite nine weeks of talks and 80 meetings.
Speaking this morning in Belfast, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, said: " I am in no doubt that good progress has been made on many of the most difficult but significant challenges.
"However, there are decisions related to welfare reform and broader issues around budgets that remain to be resolved. I am anxious that the parties come together on those issues so that a comprehensive agreement to address the legacy of the past and to secure a prosperous future for the people of Northern Ireland can be achieved."
He added: "Following this morning’s roundtable meeting, chaired by the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron, the Secretary of State and I had a useful meeting to discuss how we can best assist the process in the coming days.”
Talks kicked off yesterday and continued well into the night, with the British and Irish sides meeting with politicians from all parties, including Sinn Féin and the DUP, in an effort to address several contentious issues.
The political agenda in Stormont has been dominated by parades, flags, public finance and welfare cuts.
David Cameron this morning said that while no deal was signed, he offered “financial fire power” – a package Sinn Féin’s John O’Dowd MLA dubbed “derisory”.
Meanwhile Enda Kenny said he believed the deal proposed to the parties addressed all of the issues of concern.
Both the Prime Minister and Taoiseach were optimistic about the progress made but local politicians were not so positive.
Last night, the DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson said he believed there is “a long way to go” before a deal is signed.
Sinn Féin party leader Gerry Adams this morning tweeted: “Two governments exiting after most amateurish, ham-fisted episode I have ever been involved in."
The talks broke up at 1.30am this morning, before resuming for a short time at 8am.
See More: David Cameron, Enda Kenny, Stormont
