NI political leaders reach a deal over contentious issues following Stormont talks

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Northern Ireland’s political leaders have finally reached a deal over contentious issues destabilising the power-sharing administration following cross-party talks at Stormont on Tuesday.

The deal known as Stormont House Agreement, struck after 100 hours of formal talks.

NI First Minister Peter Robinson has described as “an exhausting period” which led to resolve the disputes over the budget and welfare reforms and established new structures to deal with the legacy of unsolved killings during the Troubles.

While hailing the agreement as a “monumental step forward”, Mr Robinson has said: “I believe the work carried out has been productive. We have a document presented by the governments, a three-stranded format agreed by the parties and a significant section dealing with financial matters.”

He further told that the agreement on key issues has been put to the Northern Ireland parties, who all “responded positively” and will now put it to their party structures for endorsement.

Mr Robinson has also indicated of drawing up the 2015-16budget “in a way that will allow the finance minister to put some money back into the departments and ease pressure”.

The deal has also paved the way for corporation tax powers to be devolved to Belfast as well, after Chancellor George Osborne told about acting similarly, following development in the discussion over the issue.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has also welcomed the move and agreed to lend the devolved government £2bn to address a shortfall, after Stormont agreed to cushion welfare reform from its own budget.

Mr Cameron has said: “I am delighted that a workable agreement has been reached that can allow Northern Ireland to enjoy a brighter, more prosperous future, while at the same time finally being able to deal with its past.

“This historic agreement has been long in the making and I would also like to pay tribute to all those involved – the Northern Ireland parties, the U.K. and Irish governments and Senator Hart – for getting us to this position.

“We will now all work collaboratively to see this through. The people of Northern Ireland deserve nothing less.”

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