This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63490204

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill says DUP won't accept her as first minister Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill says DUP won't accept her as first minister
(about 5 hours later)
Michelle O'Neill accused the DUP of refusing "to accept the democratic outcome" of the election in MayMichelle O'Neill accused the DUP of refusing "to accept the democratic outcome" of the election in May
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill has accused the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of refusing to return to power-sharing at Stormont because an Irish nationalist would be first minister.Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill has accused the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of refusing to return to power-sharing at Stormont because an Irish nationalist would be first minister.
She made the comment at her party's ard fheis (annual conference) in Dublin.She made the comment at her party's ard fheis (annual conference) in Dublin.
Sinn Féin became the biggest party at Stormont after an election in May, meaning Ms O'Neill is entitled to be first minister.Sinn Féin became the biggest party at Stormont after an election in May, meaning Ms O'Neill is entitled to be first minister.
But the DUP's refusal to join an executive prevented her from doing so.But the DUP's refusal to join an executive prevented her from doing so.
The DUP has said it will not return to devolved government until its complaints about the post-Brexit trading arrangement known as the Northern Ireland Protocol are addressed.The DUP has said it will not return to devolved government until its complaints about the post-Brexit trading arrangement known as the Northern Ireland Protocol are addressed.
During her speech at the ard fheis, Ms O'Neill said the DUP was using its protest about the protocol as "cover".During her speech at the ard fheis, Ms O'Neill said the DUP was using its protest about the protocol as "cover".
"It is wrong that progress on the issues affecting the daily lives of people are being put on hold because one party refuses to accept the democratic outcome of last May's Assembly election," she said."It is wrong that progress on the issues affecting the daily lives of people are being put on hold because one party refuses to accept the democratic outcome of last May's Assembly election," she said.
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald (left) will give the keynote speech at the conferenceSinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald (left) will give the keynote speech at the conference
"At any time this would be unacceptable but in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis it is utterly disgraceful."At any time this would be unacceptable but in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis it is utterly disgraceful.
"As you all know the DUP are using the Brexit Protocol as cover not to enter power-sharing."As you all know the DUP are using the Brexit Protocol as cover not to enter power-sharing.
"The real reason is because as an Irish nationalist I will be at the helm as first minister and everybody knows it.""The real reason is because as an Irish nationalist I will be at the helm as first minister and everybody knows it."
The DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has previously said he accepts the outcome of the May election but will not change his stance on power-sharing until his issues with the protocol have been resolved.The DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has previously said he accepts the outcome of the May election but will not change his stance on power-sharing until his issues with the protocol have been resolved.
Who is Michelle O'Neill?Who is Michelle O'Neill?
Who are Sinn Féin and what do they stand for?Who are Sinn Féin and what do they stand for?
A simple guide to the Northern Ireland ProtocolA simple guide to the Northern Ireland Protocol
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is due to give the keynote speech on Saturday evening.Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is due to give the keynote speech on Saturday evening.
The party is the largest in opposition in the Republic of Ireland, where recent polls have pointed to rising support.The party is the largest in opposition in the Republic of Ireland, where recent polls have pointed to rising support.
Sinn Féin's conference takes place at a time when the party has much to be confident about. Analysis: Sinn Féin would relish an election
But while it is now in pole position at Stormont, Michelle O'Neill has yet to spend a second in the first minister's chair. by Darran Marshall, BBC News NI political correspondent
That could be to the party's benefit when it comes to attracting voters in the event another assembly election is called. Sinn Féin is keen to get back into government in Stormont - both Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill have already made that clear.
But for now, the Northern Ireland secretary doesn't appear inclined to do that and it's not clear what Stormont's future holds. There are two reasons for that.
Expect to hear from the leadership about what it believes should be on the table if the assembly remains mothballed, including calling for Irish unity plans to be ramped up. Michelle O'Neill will make history as the first nationalist first minister in Northern Ireland. She's already won the right to that job, but is waiting on a start date.
That will depend on the DUP lifting its veto on the institutions. There's no sign of that in the short term.
But Sinn Féin in government in Northern Ireland helps the party in the Republic of Ireland too. It is performing very strongly in opinion polls in the Republic.
Its frontbench spokespeople are competent media performers but they've yet to spend as much as an hour in power.
The ability to point to responsible ministers taking day-to-day decisions, north of the border, would help combat opposition claims they are untested.
On Friday, the Northern Ireland secretary ruled out a fresh Stormont election.
Sinn Féin would relish the chance of a new poll, confident they'd secure even more seats.
In Dublin, the next election is scheduled for 2025 and that can't come soon enough for Mary Lou McDonald and her team.
Until February Ms O'Neill had been Stormont's deputy first minister.Until February Ms O'Neill had been Stormont's deputy first minister.
But when the DUP removed Paul Givan as first minister from the executive in protest over the protocol that meant Ms O'Neill could not remain in office either.But when the DUP removed Paul Givan as first minister from the executive in protest over the protocol that meant Ms O'Neill could not remain in office either.
Her party won 27 seats in May's assembly election, with the DUP securing 25.Her party won 27 seats in May's assembly election, with the DUP securing 25.
Sinn Féin has repeatedly called for an executive to be restored, saying the onus was on the DUP to "end its boycott".Sinn Féin has repeatedly called for an executive to be restored, saying the onus was on the DUP to "end its boycott".
During her speech in Dublin, Ms O'Neill accused the DUP and the Conservative Party of creating chaos and dysfunction at Stormont and Westminster.During her speech in Dublin, Ms O'Neill accused the DUP and the Conservative Party of creating chaos and dysfunction at Stormont and Westminster.
She also criticised Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris over his indecision about calling another Stormont election.She also criticised Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris over his indecision about calling another Stormont election.
She called for his statement to the House of Commons next week to be definitive as "drip feeding is fuelling instability and uncertainty".She called for his statement to the House of Commons next week to be definitive as "drip feeding is fuelling instability and uncertainty".
Ms O'Neill also called on the UK and the EU to "propel the protocol talks" and demonstrate will to find a solution.Ms O'Neill also called on the UK and the EU to "propel the protocol talks" and demonstrate will to find a solution.
You can watch Mary Lou McDonald's leader's speech this evening on the BBC News NI website from 18:30 GMT.You can watch Mary Lou McDonald's leader's speech this evening on the BBC News NI website from 18:30 GMT.