Dr. Katy Hayward:

I will start with the question on the restoration of devolution. There is a sense that we will not get devolution up and running again until after Brexit, so we will wait to see what the arrangements will be and then we will bring the parties together and restore devolution. I think that gives rise to concern because there is a vacuum in Northern Ireland in a very real sense, not just in terms of political representation but also in terms of decision making. There are urgent decisions and preparations to be made for Brexit that require political leadership. One of the reason we think that Brexit makes devolution to restore is the framing of it all. There is a very distinct difference between the British position and the Irish position on Brexit. This is why I think it is important to look back at what the parties themselves have said and how much common ground there is already. A letter from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, OFMDFM, was an important marker on that, as were statements made by the North-South Ministerial Council and British-Irish Council. There is a great deal of common ground that can be built upon.

In order to get devolution up and running again, we need to go beyond looking at two parties. The other parties are vital to this process and they must be brought into talks to restore power sharing. There was too much concentration on the DUP and Sinn Féin in the most recent public efforts to restore devolution. Broadening out the process and involving the other parties will be absolutely critical. Given the context of Brexit, which has resulted in changes to the British and Irish Governments' positions, perhaps a third person, an independent person, could have a role. An external person might be able to facilitate the restoration of devolution and talks to restore the Executive and Assembly.