Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said that, due to a lack of urgency, Northern Ireland’s political parties were unlikely to reach a deal to restore the province’s power-sharing agreement in the next few days.
The power-sharing government of Northern Ireland, brought about through the Good Friday Agreement, collapsed in January this year. The agreement mandates a compulsory coalition of Irish nationalists and pro-British unionists.
If power-sharing is not restored, Northern Ireland could have to revert to direct rule from London for the first time in a decade reports Reuters.
Stressing that a deal is still possible. Mr Adams said that “the DUP are showing no urgency about dealing with equality and rights issues.”
He added that no agreement had been reached on Republican demands to give the Irish language legal status in the province, a bill of rights and marriage quality.
The negotiations take place as questions have been raised over Westminister's neutrality in the Northern Irish question, after the DUP has signed an agreement with the minority Conservative government in Westminister following last month's elections.
