26/04/2019
Governments Expected To Announce Stormont Talks Plan
The Irish and British Governments are expected to agree fresh plans for talks to reestablish the Stormont executive in Northern Ireland.
The region has been without a power sharing executive from January 2017 after it collapsed over the botched renewable heating scandal.
After several rounds of failed negotiations, with marriage equality, an Irish Language Act and the Petition of Concern becoming key divisive factors, recent days have seen political leaders face fresh pressure in the wake of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Northern Ireland Secretary of State Karen Bradley are reportedly set to announce a renewed effort to form an executive.
Following the funeral of Ms Mckee, who was shot dead while reporting on dissident republican riots in L'Derry, Mr Coveney indicated his commitment to resolving the political impasse.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "Belfast today was a powerful outpouring of support, solidarity, diversity, sadness and love for Lyra McKee and her family- a strong message too for all political leaders and both Governments, that NI demands more from us. We must work together to build a better future…and we will."
Northern Ireland's two largest parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein, have both expressed willingness to resume talks, but it is clear major differences remain.
(JG/MH)
The region has been without a power sharing executive from January 2017 after it collapsed over the botched renewable heating scandal.
After several rounds of failed negotiations, with marriage equality, an Irish Language Act and the Petition of Concern becoming key divisive factors, recent days have seen political leaders face fresh pressure in the wake of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Northern Ireland Secretary of State Karen Bradley are reportedly set to announce a renewed effort to form an executive.
Following the funeral of Ms Mckee, who was shot dead while reporting on dissident republican riots in L'Derry, Mr Coveney indicated his commitment to resolving the political impasse.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "Belfast today was a powerful outpouring of support, solidarity, diversity, sadness and love for Lyra McKee and her family- a strong message too for all political leaders and both Governments, that NI demands more from us. We must work together to build a better future…and we will."
Northern Ireland's two largest parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein, have both expressed willingness to resume talks, but it is clear major differences remain.
(JG/MH)
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