He said the Irish government would be seeking clarity from the UK government in the coming weeks on what the next steps will be for governance in Northern Ireland if there is no return to powersharing. Powersharing is unable to function in Northern Ireland without the support of the region’s largest unionist and nationalist parties. Last week DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he could not be certain that powersharing will return by the end of the year. Mr Martin said the Irish government required “clarity” on what future arrangements would look like in Northern Ireland in the absence of powersharing. “The people of Northern Ireland they have huge health issues, in terms of health services, education and so on, and the centre cannot hold there in respect of the fiscal situation, the budgetary situation, if the executive doesn’t come back,” he said.

Source: The Herald November 05, 2023 14:17 UTC