https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67742933
> **Political leaders will resume talks at Hillsborough Castle later over a £2.5bn financial package aimed at restoring power-sharing government.**
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> The offer from Westminster is contingent on the return of devolved government in Northern Ireland.
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> The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has been boycotting it since early 2022 due to its protest over post-Brexit trade arrangements.
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> The party has said there is still more work needed on the deal.
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> There had been speculation an agreement was close, with the government hoping to restore devolution before parliamentary recess on Tuesday.
> #What will the parties be discussing?
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> The government’s offer includes a lump sum to settle public sector pay claims and a new “needs-based” funding formula for public services.
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> Transport staff, teachers and health care workers have all staged strikes in recent months over pay, causing widespread disruption across Northern Ireland.
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> Stormont departments say they cannot settle pay disputes [because of budget pressures](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66159716).
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> Party leaders in Northern Ireland have agreed that the current financial offer from the UK government is not enough.
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> Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris has said he was [prepared to go back to the prime minister and see what more is possible](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-67693079).
> DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told members on Saturday that he would not be “distracted by hype” and “calendar-led initiatives” in relation to a deal.
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> Writing in an email, he said the financial package did “not deal with our long-term challenges” and that he was hopeful the government would “advance on their offer on Monday”.
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> The DUP has been urged by other parties not to hold up a potential return to Stormont and to “seize the opportunity” to restore devolution.
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> [Speaking on BBC News NI’s Sunday Politics](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b019cdpp), Sinn Féin’s John Finucane said Sir Jeffrey needed to show leadership.
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> “If he prevaricates and allows this to drift then that will be to the detriment to everybody in this society,” he added.
> Monday’s discussions will involve the four parties eligible to form a power-sharing government if it is restored – Sinn Féin, the DUP, Alliance and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
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> Speaking ahead of the talks, Mr Heaton-Harris said the parties have had time “to consider the generous package offered by the government”
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> “I look forward to discussing final details with the parties over the coming days.”
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> #’Never say never’
> Alliance leader Naomi Long was cautious when asked about the possibility of a deal to restore Stormont before Westminster recess.
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> “I don’t see at the moment any kind of path to a decision this side of Christmas. I think that is unfortunate,” she told the [BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_ulster).
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> “But as with everything in Northern Ireland politics, when things start to move they move very quickly. So you never say never.”
> Political leaders return to Hillsborough on Monday to talk money, still not knowing if they will be in a position to spend it.
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> The government had hoped to be making plans for re-establishing Stormont after receiving the green light from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
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> Instead we got a leaked email from its leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to party members making it clear they are not over the line yet.
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> It did feel like a party preparing for government when it feels the time is right.
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> Most of the email was directed at the ongoing battle to get more money from the Treasury.
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> But there is a frustration the DUP leader appears to be stalling for more time and wants the process parked until after Christmas.
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> Read more from Enda [here](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67741999).
> Any possible restoration of Stormont also depends on key discussions about the [Windsor Framework](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66937192) and how Northern Ireland trades with Great Britain.
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> On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the government was ready to legislate to protect Northern Ireland’s position and would work “at pace”.
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> Sir Jeffrey said on Saturday he had been able to identify “legislative measures and potential actions that would be in keeping with our negotiating objectives”.
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> But he said they would be “measured against the [tests in our manifesto](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-57852095), and that work for Northern Ireland and our place within the United Kingdom”.
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> On Sunday, Sir Jeffrey also hit out at the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) after [posters appeared across Northern Ireland saying “stop DUP sellout”](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67741715).
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> He said the party was behind the posters and said he would not be intimidated. In response, the TUV said posters are not intimidation.
by Diomas