Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We now have an imposed budget on Northern Ireland brought about by Secretary of State Brokenshire. In doing so he has, for now, ruled out direct rule, as the Taoiseach has in his answer to this question. What then, in the absence of an agreement ongoing between the parties in Northern Ireland? If direct rule is ruled out by the British Government and the Taoiseach, and if no agreement is possible, and we have spent many months seeking such an agreement, between the parties democratically elected in Northern Ireland, what is the path the Taoiseach envisages out of this particular impasse? The British Labour Party Member of Parliament, Conor McGinn, has said there should not be direct rule from Westminster but that instead we should explore a new partnership arrangement between Dublin and London. Is there any out of the box thinking going on? Has the Taoiseach had a discussion in detail with Prime Minister May on what specifically they will do in the event of there being no direct rule and no Executive in Northern Ireland? How is the province is to be administered?

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