belfast britain tuesday reject irish demand role run northern ireland party fail revive devolve power-sharing government unionists say concessions would lead grave consequences theresa may government 1998 peace deal end 30 years violence northern ireland irish nationalists pro-british unionists provide consultative role irish government run british region since january irish nationalists sinn fein democratic unionist party dup fail reach agreement re-establishing devolve administration british government warn may soon step rule province directly first time decade irish foreign minister simon coveney tuesday tell journalists belfast talk form power-sharing government fail british-only direct rule add irish government policy say kind role expect irish government say still hopeful devolve power-sharing could rescue apparent rebuff coveney british government spokesman say statement london would never countenance arrangement joint authority inconsistent principle consent good friday agreement absence devolve government ultimately unite kingdom government provide certainty delivery public service good governance northern ireland part unite kingdom statement say dup lawmaker jeffrey donaldson whose party prime minister theresa may minority government depend survive warn party would accept concessions dublin even temporary period direct rule irish government must clear must interfere internal affairs northern ireland would fundamental breach faith donaldson tell belfast telegraph newspaper comment publish wednesday happen would grave consequences stability government westminster prospect restore devolution northern ireland quote say britain reject irish call role northern ireland rule