Northern Ireland powersharing talks to resume with all political parties, May and Varadkar announce

A view of the Parliament Buildings on the Stormont Estate in Northern Ireland
AFP/Getty Images
Ella Wills26 April 2019

An agreement has been reached to establish a new round of talks involving all the main political parties in Northern Ireland, Theresa May and Leo Varadkar have said in a joint statement. ​

Negotiations are expected to take place as soon as possible after local council elections in Northern Ireland on May 2. All the main parties will be invited.

The move comes after politicians were publicly challenged by a priest at the funeral of journalist Lyra McKee over why it had taken the 29-year-old's murder to force politicians to unite.

The Prime Minister Theresa May and Irish Taoiseach said in a joint statement they were "determined to work together to ensure this process comes to a successful conclusion".

It is the latest attempt to restore the powersharing agreement after the Stormont Assembly collapsed in Northern Ireland more than two years ago.

The devolved executive and assembly which have powers over the region collapsed following a row between former governing partners the DUP and Sinn Fein.

Endless rounds of negotiations failed to break the deadlock.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Theresa May before Lyra McKee's funeral service
PA

The statement said: "In coming together with other political leaders in St Anne's Cathedral to pay tribute to Lyra McKee, we gave expression to the clear will and determination of all of the people of these islands to reject violence and to support peace and a better future for everyone in Northern Ireland.

"We also heard the unmistakable message to all political leaders that people across Northern Ireland want to see a new momentum for political progress. We agree that what is now needed is actions and not just words from all of us who are in positions of leadership.

It added: "We have agreed to establish a new process of political talks, involving all the main political parties in Northern Ireland, together with the UK and Irish Governments, in accordance with the three stranded process. The aim of these talks is quickly to re-establish to full operation the democratic institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement - the NI Executive, Assembly and North-South Ministerial Council - so that they can effectively serve all of the people for the future.

"We have asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Tanaiste to meet later today in Belfast to set out our proposed approach and to commence the talks process as soon as possible after the local elections in Northern Ireland.

A family handout photo of Lyra McKee, who was shot dead on Thursday
PA

"In addition, we have agreed that there should be a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference during the same period. The Conference will consider East/West relations, security cooperation, and political stability in Northern Ireland.

"We understand the complexity of the underlying concerns of all parties, and the need for renewed trust, mutual respect, generosity and new thinking to resolve the issues."

They added that progress will be reviewed at the end of May.

The Stormont Assembly and ministerial Executive collapsed in a row between the former powersharing partners over a botched green energy scheme.

Multiple rounds of talks have failed to secure their restoration.

Sinn Fein leader Mary-Lou McDonald has said her party is ready to play a full part in a "serious and meaningful" talks process aimed at restoration.

The DUP has consistently called for devolution to be revived or for the UK Government to step in to make more decisions.

The Northern Ireland Secretary has already said she intends to hold discussions with Stormont's party leaders.

They attended a vigil together in Londonderry after Miss McKee was shot dead by dissident republicans.

Mrs Foster has said Sinn Fein could not get everything it wanted, "a 5-0 victory", and her party receive nothing.

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