Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Democratic Unionist Party, DUP, confirmed that it will vote against the British Government's proposals on the Stormont brake on Wednesday. This is of real concern as it is a key part of the Windsor Framework agreement. The DUP's approach now indicates that, sadly, we are no closer to the restoration of the power-sharing Executive and the Stormont Assembly. This clearly has major political and practical implications for the people of Northern Ireland. We saw in recent weeks teachers and healthcare workers having to resort to strikes in the North due to unresolved issues and disputes about pay. We have seen the real prospect that 1,700 people in the community and voluntary sector who support those with disabilities will unfortunately lose their jobs on 31 March because of the end of European social funding initiatives. Dozens of organisations are at risk of closure, with many thousands people who are supported by employability services impacted. The failure to restore the Executive as we approach the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement has very serious consequences. What next steps to seek the restoration of the Executive in Northern Ireland does the Taoiseach plan to pursue given this new indication from the DUP?

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