LONDON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Talks aimed at restoring devolved governance to North Ireland broke down Wednesday, just two days after Ireland's prime minister said a power-sharing deal could be reached by the end of this week.
Britain's Secretary for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley, confirmed in a statement Wednesday night that the current round of talks between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and pro-Republican Sinn Fein had collapsed.
Prime Minister Theresa May and her opposite in Ireland, Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, held day-long talks Monday, meeting political leaders. It raised hopes that after more than a year, there were hopes of a breakthrough to restore the parliament.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said in Belfast there is no current prospect of a deal to restore power sharing, saying the talks failed due to disagreements over a stand-alone Irish Language Act.
In a statement, Foster said: "We do not have a fair and balanced package."
She called on May's government to set a budget for Northern Ireland and start making policy decisions, adding the DUP would continue to aim for a restoration of devolution, but saying it would not accept a "one-sided deal".
In response, Michelle O'Neill, leader of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, accused the DUP of collapsing the talk process. O'Neill said Sinn Fein had reached an accommodation with the leadership of the DUP, adding they had failed to close a deal.
It now raises the prospect that direct-rule will be imposed from Westminster which will be seen as a huge blow to the peace process in the region.
Bradley in her statement said: "Both parties (DUP and Sinn Fein) have conducted discussions seriously and in good faith. While substantive progress towards an agreement has been made, it appears that this phase of talks has reached a conclusion."
Bradley urged the parties to reflect on the circumstances which have led to this and their positions, both now and in the future.
"The position of the UK government remains the same: devolved government is in the best interests of everyone in Northern Ireland. I believe the basis for an accommodation still exists.
"As the Prime Minister said during her visit on Monday, we are ready to bring forward legislation to enable an executive to be formed. We will continue to work with everyone to make sure we do deliver this. We now need to consider practical steps."
Bradley said in the continued absence of an executive "other challenging decisions will have to be taken by the UK government".
The minister said she will update MPs next week in the House of Commons when parliament reopens after a recess.
