Hope for Northern Ireland power-sharing deal in 'not too distant future'

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has said he hopes that a deal that could lead to the restoration of power sharing in Northern Ireland could be agreed in the "not too distant future".

Chris Heaton-Harris said he was not going to comment on the ongoing negotiations with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) but is able to be confident because he is involved in the talks.

He said there is an "interesting period of time coming," and people "just have to read Jeffrey Donaldson's words today in interviews" and they will "detect a slight nuance" in what he's saying.

"I think when it comes to Saturday - his party conference speech - it'll be interesting to see what he says there," Mr Heaton-Harris told attendees at the British Irish Chamber of Commerce conference in Dublin.

"But we are definitely in the final stages of what we can offer to the DUP within … the limits of the framework that I've set out for the negotiations."

He said he has learned from personal experience and from history not to set a deadline for negotiations.

"And the proof of the pudding for that was the Windsor Framework negotiations," he said.

"Because I don't think anybody particularly believed they were going to get anywhere at all."

"But we were able to negotiate in confidence behind closed doors over a long period of time some really detailed, really detailed negotiations that delivered a package of measures that alleviated one of the biggest stumbling blocks to getting Stormont back."

"And I hope that in the not too distant future we'll see that happen."

Regarding concerns about the potential for unrest in the north if the talks around restoring the institutions don't go the way that some on the extremes might want them to, Mr Heaton-Harris said any threats would have to be taken seriously.

But said he does not detect any urge from any quarter of any community to go back to a troubled past.

"And there's a whole generation of people out there and a whole generation of people who moved into Northern Ireland that are keen to look forward and are keen to take the opportunities that are being presented to them and drive Northern Ireland forward," he said.

He added that there are also businesses heavily investing in Northern Ireland, despite it not having a government, because they understand the opportunity that exists.

He said investors, including venture capitalists, sovereign wealth funds, individuals and businesses, understand that Northern Ireland is in a "very interesting space" because of the opportunities posed by the Windsor Framework, but also because of the basis of law, the education system and the skills base.

Also asked whether reform of the Good Friday Agreement is now needed to stop the cycle of stop-start politics in Northern Ireland, Mr Heaton Harris said, "no".

Questioned about whether he is concerned that the Irish Government’s threat to take legal action over the Northern Ireland Troubles legacy law could create difficulties for trade and business, Mr Heaton-Harris said he would like to think not.

"I mean it just wouldn’t be helpful in international relations terms," he said.

"But at the end of at the end of the day that's a decision for the Irish Government."

The Northern Secretary also said he thinks the redevelopment of Casement Park necessary for it to be able to host games in the European Championships will happen.

He said it was a "really good thing" that the UK and Ireland joint bid to host the competition had been successful.

He added that all the funding partners have been gathered together over a period of time and in a conversation with UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, a few days ago, the Taoiseach suggested there could be a contribution from the Irish Government.

"There’s a whole host of work to be done," he said.

"But I believe that we will be able to build the stadium that everybody wants to see in Casement Park."

Earlier, the Tánaiste said the Irish and British governments need to be the driver for positive relations across the island and for creating the circumstances within which a restored Stormont delivers for all the people of Northern Ireland.

Micheál Martin said the Government wants to see all strands of the Good Friday Agreement working effectively as all three strands are mutually reinforcing and interdependent.

"The potential to work with the executive in Northern Ireland and the British Government to deliver investment to the benefit of communities is huge," the Minister for Foreign Affairs said to an audience at the British Irish Chamber of Commerce conference.

"But of course, the executive and the Assembly are not in place. The Irish Government message in public and in private to the parties in the north and to our partners in the United Kingdom government has been completely consistent."

"The people of Northern Ireland voted and that vote must be respected so that Stormont can play its part in realising that potential."

He said restoration of the Assembly and the executive in Northern Ireland would be critical as politics could help to build the reconciliation path.

The Tánaiste also said the Windsor Framework ensures that all who live on the island have the opportunity to benefit from an accessible and growing all-island economy.

He said cross border trade is now worth €10bn, nearly three times what it was in 1998 and he said the reality is that investing anywhere on the island now leads to benefits both north and south

But Mr Martin also added that managing the impacts of Brexit remain a priority for the Government.

He cautioned that the impact of Brexit will continue to be felt across the islands for some time to come.

"However, as we have proven over recent years, we are at our we are at our best when we work together in preparing for and mitigating against those impacts," he said.

Chris Heaton-Harris and Micheal Martin met for a time at the event.

In relation to the Budget, Mr Martin said it showed that the Government is serious about making improvements in people's lives today, protecting those improvements for the future and tackling the big strategic problems facing our country, like housing, healthcare, transport, infrastructure and climate change.

He said the Government has nurtured and protected Ireland's social and economic progress and is now making the investments necessary to ensure that such progress can continue into the future.