Stormont talks to focus on paramilitary groups
The second week of Stormont crisis talks will begin on Monday, with the focus set on paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said the cross-party talks would be intense but that a good platform had been established last week.
“Finding a way to resolve the two issues on the talks agenda will be very difficult,” said Ms Villiers.
“But I believe the parties have established a sound basis on which to take forward discussions with greater intensity and focus this week.
She said the parties will discuss the impact of paramilitary organisations.
“These organisations should never have existed in the first place and should not exist today,” she added.
The current crisis in the Executive was sparked last month by the murder of Kevin McGuigan in the Short Strand in Belfast.
PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton claimed that IRA members had been involved in Mr McGuigan’s murder, which led to a fracturing of relations between Sinn Féin and the unionist parties.
The UUP withdrew their ministers from government to form an opposition, with the DUP’s ministers following later.
Peter Robinson temporarily stood aside as First Minister, with Arlene Foster taking on the role in an acting capacity.
DUP ministers have since been re-designated to roles before resigning them almost immediately.
The unionist parties agreed to take part in roundtable talks, after Westminster ordered an independent review of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland.
