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Speaking today, Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey said,

“There is no escaping the significance of today’s events. Today’s meeting was of historic importance.

It almost seems inconceivable that the DUP leader had been forced to make a U-turn and is prepared to go into government with Sinn Fein when he had previously denounced the Ulster Unionists for years for going into power with the SDLP.

As a consequence of the events leading up to today, Gerry Adams has scored a huge propaganda coup and Sinn Fein has been given very significant bargaining power with the Government. We remain concerned at the price that will be paid for this six week delay in terms of further concessions.

However, the fact that the people of Northern Ireland appear to be closer today to getting their long overdue devolved institutions back up and running is to be welcomed. While I remain deeply sceptical at the underlying motives behind this six week delay, it does nonetheless represent progress.

As significant players in the process, both in the past and today, the Ulster Unionist Party stands ready to play our part in delivering the much needed changes to how Northern Ireland is governed.”

Ulster Unionist South Belfast assembly member, and BELB member, Michael McGimpsey, has today led a delegation to meet with BELB chiefs to demand the rebuilding of Taughmonagh Primary.

The delegation, which comprised of Cllr Bob Stoker, Taughmonagh Primary school principal Janet Dowds, and local community association representatives Harry Smith, Marie McGarry and Allison Robinson met with BELB chief executive David Cargo at the board’s Academy Street headquarters.

In a statement, Mr McGimpsey said: “Taughmonagh has been largely demolished for the redevelopment of Harburton special needs school. At the moment, children find themselves in the intolerable situation of being housed in huts and temporary classrooms with no playground facilities available.

“On my proposal last Christmas, the Education and Library Board passed the proposal to rebuild Taughmonagh primary. And yet the school was not included in Maria Eagle’s recent school building programme announcement. Teachers, parents and children are desperately disappointment and demand delivery on the works promised.”

He added: “Work on this building must be started soon – children can’t be expected to endure another Christmas in mobile classrooms.

“The decision is there – so why has there been a lack of will from the department in implementing it?”

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey, in a statement ahead of tomorrow’s crucial meetings at Parliament Buildings, said:

“Over the last few months the DUP has been saying that its participation in a power sharing Administration at Stormont is ‘condition led and not calendar led. They cannot therefore be surprised if people are skeptical about their motives when they perform another U turn and produce a calendar led resolution from their executive.’

‘The DUP are now saying that they want an extra six weeks after which they will share power with Sinn Fein. This is calendar led. What is the purpose of this delay and what guarantee is there that this new deadline will be met?’

‘Ulster Unionists can well understand if people are looking extra time to manage internal difficulties, even though we note that the same consideration was never extended to us by the DUP when we had divisions.’

‘The way ahead tomorrow is for a meeting of party leaders to take place so that the issues of concern to the DUP can be fleshed out and a judgment made as to whether they are serious or whether this is just another delaying stunt.’

‘There is no doubt that Sinn Fein has dragged its feet for years, and a few weeks may seem to be a small price to pay, but only if the DUP is genuine, and on that the jury is out.’

‘My other major concern is that this new crisis has placed Sinn Fein in an exceptionally strong bargaining position. As Peter Hain is on the hook of the St Andrew’s timetable, having told the world that the deadline of the 26th is real, the Secretary of State is now saying that if the parties agree he will legislate to postpone the devolution timetable. Sinn Fein’s agreement for that is required and that will only be at a price. Will it be OTRs or more Dail speaking rights? This is the downside of the DUPs playacting.’

‘There are other matters, top of which is water charges and education. If any messing around results in these issues being dealt with as Direct Rule Ministers wish, it would add up to a major betrayal of the people of Northern Ireland.’

Peter Hain is going to look very foolish if devolution is delayed and new legislation introduced in Parliament on the hope rather than expectation of devolution taking place in May. At the end of the day the decision is his and the prime Minister’s. He cannot sub contract the decision to party Leaders.

‘I suspect most people agree that Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness are still going to be the same republicans in May as they are today.