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Nine News: Tommie Gorman, Northern Editor, reports that Northern Secretary Peter Hain has threatened to freeze MLA salaries unless power-sharing in Stormont is restored
The SDLP and Sinn Féin leaders have welcomed indications from the British and Irish governments that they will push to have devolved government restored at Stormont this year.
The news comes after the Northern Secretary, Peter Hain, today threatened to freeze the salaries and allowances of Assembly members unless there is progress towards restoring devolution by the summer.
Speaking in a BBC interview, Mr Hain said that MLAs were getting salaries of £32,000 to do a job which they would not take responsibility for doing.
Mr Hain is due to hold talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, in Belfast next week.
