Taoiseach urges ‘political maturity’ at Stormont amid DUP and Sinn Féin row

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

The Taoiseach has urged “political maturity’ at Stormont amid rows between the DUP and Sinn Féin.

Last week Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy said the “behaviour of the DUP” is “frustrating” delivery, and that the DUP “don’t have the political will to make it work”.

He warned that powersharing is in a “precarious place”.

Earlier this week, DUP minister Gordon Lyons hit back, saying Sinn Féin’s criticisms are “detached from reality” and that the party is “inserting instability” into the powersharing government arrangements.

The Stormont Executive has yet to agree a budget for the current financial year, with parties around the table calling for further funding from the UK Government.

Fresh Assembly elections are due to take place next year.

During a visit to Belfast on Thursday, Micheál Martin was asked how concerned he was about the stability of Stormont.

He responded saying: “I think there is an obligation on all political parties to ensure that Stormont is maintained, the Executive and the Assembly right up to election day.

“I think the people demand that sort of political maturity to make sure that withstanding all of the difficulties that the institutions prevail.”

The Taoiseach said he supported calls by a number of the parties for reform at Stormont to bolster political stability.

I will speak to the new British Prime Minister in September, and I note the comments of the new Northern Ireland Secretary of State

He added: “I certainly support reform, I have been supporting reform of the institutions for quite a number of years.

“Not everybody at the time agreed, but bit by bit more and more are coming around to supporting reform.

“I will speak to the new British Prime Minister in September, and I note the comments of the new Northern Ireland Secretary of State.

“I believe that collectively we have to work together to bring forward legislation that is required.”