Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The last time I spoke to the Prime Minister, I expressed the hope that the politicians elected to the assembly would accept their responsibility and get on with putting together an Executive. I think everybody can agree that this is absolutely essential if the issues that affect the people of Northern Ireland, which were voiced on two occasions at the all-island forum and on many more besides, are to be addressed effectively. We all know that in the previous Executive, the then First Minister and deputy First Minister, now deceased, were able to write a letter to the British Prime Minister setting out what were their common objectives. That is needed now more than ever. I agree with the Deputy that if the North-South Ministerial Council were now in operation, it could be convened on a regular basis to discuss the issues in the different sectors that are important here.

I also spoke to the Secretary of State, Mr. Brokenshire, in Derry at the funeral of the late Martin McGuinness. Although I do not speak for the Prime Minister in this, from my conversations with her and for my part, if it comes to it that we have to engage at prime ministerial and Taoiseach level, then we will do that. The important issue here is that, at the level that it is now being discussed, the politicians have to be able to put together an Executive. The DUP and Sinn Féin, as the two largest parties, hold a really responsible position and have a decision to make here. I saw the comment from the leader of the Sinn Féin group saying that if an Executive is not put together by the end of the week, they want another election. I am not sure what that is about, whether it is putting it up to the Secretary of State or a clear position of wanting to have another election. The fact of the matter is that people have been elected from a range of parties to the Assembly. The two largest parties have a duty and a responsibility to sit down in the interests of the people they represent and form an Executive. Northern Ireland should have a clear voice in order that we can get on with the business of discussing the issues of Brexit. If that is not going to happen - I will be speaking again to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade this evening - I am quite happy to engage as necessary with the British Prime Minister, as Deputy Martin is aware.

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