Taoiseach and PM May need to get directly involved in NI talks
Labour Leader Brendan Howlin TD has again called on the Taoiseach and British Prime Minister to directly intervene in the Northern Ireland talks.
It comes as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire has warned that unless talks progress a budget will be imposed on Northern Ireland when UK Parliament returns from their November recess.
Deputy Howlin said:
“Confirmation today that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, is preparing a budget for Northern Ireland is a sign that talks must get back on track before the British Parliament comes back from their November break.
“With Brexit looming, the restoration of the Executive is an imperative to protect the real interests of Northern Ireland.
“After almost a year of non functioning Executive, two elections and months of negotiations between Sinn Féin and the DUP, we are now on the brink of ‘direct rule’ in the North.
“As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, Taoiseach Varadkar and Prime Minister May need to now get personally involved in discussions for the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland.
“With a little under two weeks until the UK Parliament returns from their November recess, the pressure is really on to ensure there is no ‘British only Direct Rule’ and a functioning Executive in the North.”