Gerry Adams has said he does not expect a deal to restore power-sharing at Stormont will be agreed by Monday's deadline.

The Sinn Fein President said the door was still open, but claimed there had been no sense of urgency around piecing together an agreement with Arlene Foster's Democratic Unionist Party.

A series of deadlines have been missed to restore the multi-party devolved government in Northern Ireland, with the UK Government extending the talks process until Monday despite the Stormont parties missing Thursday's deadline set in law.

Mr Adams said: "I don't believe that there is going to be a deal by Monday.

'Zero' progress made in power-sharing deal

"The DUP are showing no urgency or no real inclination to deal with the rights-based issues which are at the crux and the heart of these difficulties which we are talking here about."


He said those included republican demands for an Irish Language Act, a Bill of Rights, marriage equality and dealing with the legacy of decades of past violence.

"Unless they step-change I just cannot see, here we are on Saturday afternoon, I just cannot see how, and we told them this directly, how a deal can be put together by then."

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire will make a statement in the House of Commons on Monday setting out the Government's plans going forward.

DUP: Ball in Sinn Fein's court

If there is no agreement, the options open to Mr Brokenshire include setting another deadline for the talks process, calling a second snap election for the Northern Ireland Assembly or re-imposing direct rule from London.

Power-sharing at Stormont collapsed in January when Ms Foster was forced from office after Sinn Fein's then deputy first minister, the late Martin McGuinness, quit.

The move was in protest at the DUP's handling of the renewable heat incentive, a scheme that left the administration facing a £490m overspend.

Sinn Fein: Make up your mind time for the DUP

One of the sticking points in the current talks is over Sinn Fein's demands for an act officially protecting the Irish language.

Republicans argue this would represent a major step towards respect and equality for all in Northern Ireland.

The DUP has said it already supported Irish medium school education during years of devolved government, and accused Sinn Fein of politicising its use.