SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said that now is the time for parties to close a deal to restore devolution, rescue public services and reward public sector workers with pay justice before Christmas.

The Foyle MP urged parties to stretch themselves after Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris announced that the talks processes were effectively concluded at Hillsborough this afternoon.

Colum Eastwood MP said:

“The talks have concluded. It is now time for parties tasked with forming a power sharing Executive to close out a deal.

“Less than a week before Christmas, people across the North are worried about their wages, they’re worried about family members still waiting for hospital treatment and they’re worried about the collapse of public services that we all rely on. Those are the people that politicians should be relentlessly focussed on - not the bogeymen who have been trying to tear down devolution for decades.

“This is a moment for calm leadership and for confident leaders to emerge and make the tough decisions needed to restore devolution.”