No resolution has been reached yet in negotiations between executive parties and the secretary of state, First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said.
Speaking after a series of one-to-one meetings with Sir Chris Bryant, O’Neill said there was still “no white smoke”.
Democratic Unionist Party leader (DUP) Gavin Robinson said he felt there was a level of optimism that was “not matched by the reality inside” the room during talks.
The secretary of state is understood to have presented a set of conditions, including revenue raising, to be attached to any potential deal on a Stormont budget.
Seven months into this financial year the Northern Ireland Executive has still not agreed a budget.
O’Neill also said that while there may be things dividing the executive, her party would persist in trying to get a budget deal done that allows public sector pay awards to be made for this year.
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