At roundtable discussions today involving the UK Government, the parties capable of forming an Executive and the Irish Government, it was agreed that formal talks to establish an Executive will be paused until after the General Election. Talks will resume following the Election, enabling the formation of an Executive before the 29 June deadline.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt. Hon. James Brokenshire MP, said:
Over the past seven weeks all the main parties have been engaged in discussions and some progress has been made, including on the development of a Programme for Government and on legacy. There are, however, a number of outstanding issues.
All the parties involved recognise it is vital devolved government, and all of the institutions established under the Belfast Agreement and its successors, resumes in Northern Ireland as soon as possible.
Although formal roundtable talks are paused until after the General Election, a range of bilateral discussions will continue, with a view to building on progress.