Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

93. To ask the Taoiseach if he has met any leaders of the Northern Ireland political parties since the resignation of the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Mr. Martin McGuinness. [1712/17]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Last Tuesday, following the resignation of dFM McGuinness, I met with the Sinn Fein leadership – Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald, to discuss developments. I then spoke by phone to both Martin McGuinness and DUP Leader Arlene Foster to explore the possibility of a resolution to the difficulties.

Later that day I spoke with Prime Minister May to discuss the events. We agreed that our two Governments would continue to work closely on these matters over the coming period and that we would keep in close contact. We also agreed that Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, would work together to see if a way forward could be found before an election had to be triggered.

I spoke with Prime Minister May again last evening when it became clear there would be no nomination of a deputy First Minister and that an election was inevitable.

Minister Flanagan and I remained available over the course of last weekend to assist but unfortunately, a way forward for the Executive could not be found and the date for Assembly elections has now been set for 2 March.