06/03/2017

NI Secretary To Meet With Stormont Party Leaders

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is to meet with Stormont party leaders to discuss forming a new power-sharing Executive.

The DUP secured 28 seats and Sinn Fein took 27 seats following Thursday's election results.

Mr Brokenshire said: "This election has demonstrated the clear desire by the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland for inclusive devolved government. I congratulate all of those who have been elected.

"Everyone now has a shared responsibility to engage intensively in the short period of time that is available to us, to ensure that a strong and stable administration is established.

"Northern Ireland has made great strides forward over the past two decades. All of us must continue the work of building a stable, peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland that works for everyone, based on the strong foundations of the Belfast Agreement and its successors."

However, Sinn Fein is objecting to Arlene Foster returning as First Minister while the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) inquiry is being carried out.

The DUP is supporting its leader and said the party will not be dictated by Sinn Fein.

The parties have three weeks to reach a deal and if a government cannot be form within that time another election will be called.

(CD)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

16 November 2018
Brexit Deal May Lead To Review Of DUP-Tory Pact
The DUP will review its confidence and supply agreement with the Conservative party if Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal passes, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has warned.
08 March 2002
Alliance Party steps into the amnesty debate
The Alliance Party went on the offensive over terrorist amnesties amid reports that there may be as many as 200 republicans applying under the measure. Alliance Party leader David Ford stepped into the imbroglio and made a proposal which in effect repackages the amnesty measures to make it more palatable to a sceptical public.
13 March 2013
NI Abortion Amendment Fails
A proposed amendment which would ban abortions in private clinics has failed in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The proposal, which was put forward by the DUP and SDLP, was lost after 40 politicians voted against it. Sinn Fein, Alliance and the Green Party managed to block the move.
22 November 2023
DUP 'Will Not Get Everything It Wants' – Robinson
The DUP "will not get everything it wants" from the UK government, former party leader and First Minister Peter Robinson has warned. Mr Robinson made the comments in an interview with BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme, where he was asked about the DUP's ongoing boycott of Stormont.
06 November 2020
Sexual Crime Victims Continually Let Down- Green Party NI
Latest official figures on sexual offences in Northern Ireland show victims are being continually let down, the Green Party has claimed. Calls for improved outcomes for victims have emerged after the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) revealed that the conviction rate for the offence of rape stands at 29.9%.