Foster Calls For NI Assembly To Be Restored

DUP leader Arlene Foster has called for an immediate restoration of the assembly in Northern Ireland.

She made the proposal at a meeting with the DUP in Belfast on Thursday evening, 31 August.

Mrs Foster also said if political parties fail to reach an agreement then direct rule from London would be the only option.

However, Sinn Fein Northern leader Michelle O'Neill said the "DUP and the British government refused to honor the agreements and operate powersharing on the basis of equality".

She said: "The statement by the DUP leader demonstrates that they have not listened or acknowledged the reasons for Martin's resignation.

"Establishing an Executive that may collapse after a matter of months on the same issues will only fail all our people.

"Let's agree to quickly conclude talks on implementation and rights, that is the only way to build a sustainable Executive that will last."

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MLA said Mrs Foster had "missed an opportunity".

He said: "Arlene Foster has missed an opportunity to do the right thing and show real leadership. If this is a signal towards change of position from the DUP on a standalone Irish Language Act then we welcome that, but there is nothing explicit in these remarks to confirm that yet.

"The proposals made are not a credible solution to the challenges we face, and the DUP Leader knows that. They are the definition of kicking the can down the road.

"There is little point in restoring the Executive only to face collapse at a further stage.

"Anything that can be agreed in a time limited parallel process can be agreed now. Time is not the issue, a critical lack of political generosity is.

"There is an emerging battle to shift blame rather than proposing credible solutions.

"Instead parties should move to deliver a sustainable and inclusive Executive."

(CD)