Stormont crisis: NI parties set for crunch talks to resolve impasse

Multiparty talks are expected to begin at Stormont on Monday after the Northern Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said the British government had commissioned an independent assessment of paramilitary organisations and criminality.

Following intense negotiations, DUP leader Peter Robinson has said the party will now take part in round-table negotiations to resolve the political crisis threatening the future of devolved government in Northern Ireland.

It was triggered by the murder of former IRA member Kevin McGuigan in Belfast last month.

Yesterday, Ms Villiers said a “factual assessment” is to be carried out by three individuals, due to be appointed next week.

It will be published by mid-October to inform the five main parties’ discussions and conclusions of the multiparty talks, she added.

She is also establishing a fund to “tackle links between paramilitary organisations and organised crime” and pledged to work closely with the Government on cross-Border criminality.

Mr Robinson said Ms Villiers has taken DUP concerns seriously and the new body would provide up-to-date assessment of all paramilitary organisations.

It was important “nothing in the review impinges on criminal investigations” and that those taking on the task needed to be people with “experience, security clearance and respect to validly carry out the work”.

However, Mr Robinson added that until a resolution was found, it would not be business as usual for the DUP.

In the fallout from the murder of Mr McGuigan and the subsequent arrest and release of Sinn Féin Northern chairman Bobby Storey, Mr Robinson stepped aside from his role and withdrew his ministers from government, except for Arlene Foster, who will continue as Minister for Finance and Acting First Minister.

‘Welcome step’

Mr Robinson described Ms Villiers’ statement as “a welcome first step in demonstrating that the government are taking our concerns seriously . . . I am not in the business of wrecking devolution”.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin spoke of his pleasure that negotiations would begin on Monday, adding the party was “totally and absolutely committed to a peaceful and democratic way of moving forward”.

Mr McGuinness suggested the talks would tackle “big issues” around implementation of the Stormont House Agreement, protecting the disadvantaged and vulnerable, ensuring a “workable budget” for government in the North and “workable institutions”.

Stormont parties had a collective responsibility “to stand together against criminality, violence and the existence of all armed groups”.

He did not believe the assessment would conclude the IRA and some structures existed.

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) also agreed to enter negotiations. UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said they had made it clear to Ms Villiers they needed "paramilitarism and organised crime" at the top of the agenda.

“We will enter the talks on Monday seeking clarification on whether there is the collective political will to grasp this one-off opportunity to rid Northern Ireland, and indeed the whole island, of the scourge of organised crime.

“These people are terrorising communities,” Mr Nesbitt added, “devastating parts of the economy and bringing the country into disrepute with potential inward investors.

PSNI chief constable George Hamilton confirmed it would provide "full co-operation and support to all the measures that have been outlined".

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said the British government's assessment of paramilitarism was a "once-off exercise" that would be completed "over the coming weeks".