Sir Chris Bryant, the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, met with the main political parties at Hillsborough Castle on Friday in his first visit since his appointment. The meetings came as Stormont faces a budget deadline and parties voiced concerns over the stability of the devolved institutions.

Speaking before the meetings, Mr Bryant indicated he was in listening mode and not expecting to make decisions immediately. He identified securing a proper budget, improving public services, and addressing NHS issues as priorities. Finance Minister John O'Dowd said it was decision time for the UK government on funding, with the Executive set to miss Saturday's budget deadline under public finance law, restricting departmental spending to 95 per cent of last year's allocation.

After the talks, Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy warned that the institutions were in a precarious state and risked collapse unless reforms were enacted. He said the British and Irish governments should not coast along but must engage actively, particularly with the DUP, which he accused of lacking the political will to cooperate.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson rejected Mr Murphy's characterisation, insisting his party is committed to delivering for the public and working within the executive. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly stated that the DUP continues to participate in government even when disagreements arise, and does not walk away from challenges.

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long described the institutions as inherently fragile and cautioned that without greater flexibility and goodwill they might not survive until the next election. She urged all parties to focus on achievable results over the coming ten months.

Ulster Unionist representative Diane Armstrong argued that stability requires reform and said her party stands ready to support changes to make devolution work, contrasting that approach with the DUP's. SDLP leader Matthew O'Toole labelled Stormont's financial situation a crisis and called for rapid agreement on a budget, questioning how the institutions are funded by Westminster.

At a press conference, Mr Bryant declined to state his view on a united Ireland, saying he was deliberately avoiding the question. He said a border poll was not imminent and noted the criteria are set out in the Good Friday Agreement. He also signalled that addressing the legacy of the Troubles through the Legacy Act was a priority.

On the Irish Sea border, Mr Bryant said the arrangements were settled and that Northern Ireland should exploit its unique access to both the UK internal market and the EU single market to attract investment.