UK Government To Set Northern Ireland Budget In Step Towards Direct...

BELFAST, Nov 1 (Reuters) - The British government said on Wednesday it will begin the process of directly imposing an annual budget for Northern Ireland after parties there failed to restore the region's devolved government.

Britain's minister for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire said, however, wordpress.com that talks between the parties would continue and that if an executive is formed, the budget process could be handed back.

A budget set by the British government would be a major step towards a return to direct rule from London for the first time in a decade, which could destabilise the delicate https://dichvuthanhlapdoanhnghiepweb.wordpress.com/ political balance in Northern Ireland.

"While important progress has been made in discussions between the DUP and Sinn Fein towards the establishment of an executive, it has not yet been possible for the parties to reach agreement," Brokenshire said in a statement.

"I am, therefore, now taking forward the necessary steps that would enable a budget bill to be introduced at Westminster at the appropriate moment in order to protect the delivery of public services in Northern Ireland," he added.

(Reporting by Ian Graham; Writing by Conor Humphries; editing by Stephen Addison)