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Political talks plan for Northern Ireland expected | Political talks plan for Northern Ireland expected |
(32 minutes later) | |
It is understood the British and Irish governments are planning to set up fresh talks to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland. | It is understood the British and Irish governments are planning to set up fresh talks to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland. |
Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney are likely to make an announcement on Friday. | |
The plan would see new talks taking place after the council elections in Northern Ireland on 2 May. | |
It follows the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry last week. | |
Ms McKee, 29, was shot last Thursday while observing rioting in Derry, and hundreds of mourners attended her funeral on Wednesday. | Ms McKee, 29, was shot last Thursday while observing rioting in Derry, and hundreds of mourners attended her funeral on Wednesday. |
Prime Minister Theresa May, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar and other politicians were among the congregation at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. | |
Priest Fr Martin Magill received a standing ovation when he asked why it had taken her death to unite political parties. | Priest Fr Martin Magill received a standing ovation when he asked why it had taken her death to unite political parties. |
Ms McKee's murder has prompted calls for Stormont's politicians to resolve their differences, as Northern Ireland has been without a functioning devolved government since January 2017. | |
Mrs Bradley had previously said she intends to hold discussions with Stormont's party leaders this week in a bid to restore power-sharing. | Mrs Bradley had previously said she intends to hold discussions with Stormont's party leaders this week in a bid to restore power-sharing. |
A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said the secretary of state's "priority remains restoring devolution at the earliest opportunity". | |
DUP leader Arlene Foster, who held talks with Mrs Bradley and Mr Coveney on Wednesday, said she wanted to see the government "take steps" to ensure talks commence. | |
She added that the DUP wanted to see the Northern Ireland Assembly restored immediately, alongside a time-limited process dealing with outstanding issues. | |
The DUP suggested this as a way of breaking the deadlock back in September 2017, but at the time it was rejected by Sinn Féin. | The DUP suggested this as a way of breaking the deadlock back in September 2017, but at the time it was rejected by Sinn Féin. |
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party was "ready to play our full part in a serious and meaningful talks process which removes obstacles to power-sharing, delivers rights and restores the assembly". | |
"Sinn Féin wants to see the full restoration of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement," she added, |