BELFAST: Irish Republican party Sinn Fein has accused the leader of the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Edwin Poots, of acting in "bad faith" over Irish language legislation, a major sticking point in Northern Irish politics.
Sinn Fein said that the nominations of a first minister and deputy first minister at the regional parliament in Stormont this week have to be accompanied by the progression of Irish language legislation.
Sinn Fein's conclusion that they "do not believe" Poots will deliver on the Irish Language Act could spark a political crisis at Stormont.
When the DUP's Arlene Foster formally resigns as first minister on Monday, deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein is automatically removed from her post as well - as the joint office can only function if both positions are filled.
Both parties will then need to re-nominate their respective first and deputy first ministers within seven days.
If one of the parties declines to re-nominate, or if either nomination fails to gain sufficient support in the Northern Ireland Assembly, then a functioning executive cannot be formed and a snap election will become likely.
It is understood Sinn Fein had been seeking firm guarantees from Poots on issues such as the Irish language as a prerequisite for its engagement in the nomination process.
A senior Sinn Fein source told the PA news agency: "Sinn Fein has scoped out Edwin Poots and the DUP, having had a series of engagements where we've talked and listened up until yesterday.
"Our assessment is that he is being disingenuous by saying publicly that he will honour commitments agreed in NDNA (New Decade, New Approach). "We believe they are acting in bad faith. We do not believe they will deliver on the Irish Language Act.
"Our position is that the nomination for first minister and deputy first minister has to be accompanied by legislation on the Irish language."
Poots has previously pledged to implement Irish language legislation at Stormont as quickly as possible.
The new DUP leader said last week he wished to "expedite" the rollout of all outstanding aspects of the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA)deal that re-established power sharing in 2020.
The cultural elements of NDNA, including protections for Irish and Ulster Scots, would have to be delivered in the form of amendments to the 1998 Northern Ireland Act.
Sinn Fein wants those legislative changes passed before the end of the current Assembly mandate next spring.
It is understood the party wants to see progression of the amendments introduced in tandem with the process of nominations for first and deputy first minister. -- dpa
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