Leaders say deal to restore powersharing is achievable this week

Powersharing talks in Stormont have broken up without an agreement but leaders indicated they were close to reaching a deal.

Theresa May has urged Northern Ireland's political leaders to make one final push'' to reach an agreement on restoring the powersharing executive.

After a series of high-level talks in Belfast, the Prime Minister said that up and running very soon''.

Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar has said he is very hopeful'' of a powersharing agreement being reached this week.

After a series of talks involving the leaders of Sinn Fein and the DUP, the Irish leader said there was a right direction''.

Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster said earlier the tone of the talks had been close to an agreement''.

Mr Varadkar said: We are very hopeful that those two parties are able to come to an agreement this week.'

After meeting with An Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said both prime ministers had been brought to sign-off on a deal but were instead left embarrassed by the DUP and Sinn Féin.

Mr Eastwood said:

"For the first time in 13 months people across the North woke up this morning with the real expectation that a deal would finally be done between the DUP and Sinn Féin.

Two prime ministers were brought up to Stormont for a deal to be done - instead they are leaving here having been embarrassed by the DUP and Sinn Féin.

The opportunity is still there to get this deal over the line but it will require a level of leadership and courage that has evaded these parties for far too long. Instead of allowing these parties to run the show, both Governments need to drive this process to a conclusion.

I’ve also made it clear to both Governments that if a deal is secured we will play our role in any subsequent negotiations on a Programme for Government and we will judge the terms of the deal honestly. However, the SDLP will not be bounced into a Government that fails to deliver on our economy, our health service and our schools.”

Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said the sustainability of any deal emerging from the current talks process needs to be a priority for both Governments.

Mrs Long was speaking after meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

“We welcomed the opportunity to engage with the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, and to stress to both the importance of ensuring if any deal between the DUP and Sinn Féin is reached in the next few days, it is future proofed and sustainable,” she said.

“Specifically, we stressed reform of the petition of concern is needed. It is vital to prevent any future difficult decisions destabilising a new Executive and Assembly. Deferring the decision itself could create instability later if reform cannot be agreed.

“We also emphasised the impact their approach to Brexit will have on sustainability. Only the UK remaining within a customs union and single market or a special deal for Northern Ireland which avoids a hard border will prevent further political instability. The UK Government has a particular responsibility to recognise the impact of a hard Brexit and hard border on Northern Ireland, and the institutions.

“Finally, we raised the issue of dealing with the past and its legacy, specifically the proposed statute of limitations for soldiers accused of unlawful killings in the Troubles. Such a statute, which was inserted after the Stormont House Agreement and which has the support of no party here, would undermine the rule of law and could seriously derail any deal made from this talks process, not to mention the legacy structures themselves.

“It is vital not only we see an Executive restored, but it is stable and capable of addressing the major political, social and financial challenges which face us. Anything less will fail to restore public confidence in politics and the institutions.