Secretary of State James Brokenshire says that Northern Ireland’s election will take place on Thursday, March 2.
The election follows the break-up of the power-sharing government after a dispute between Sinn Fein and the DUP over a botched renewable energy scheme which is likely to cost taxpayers £490m. The frayed relations culminated in the recent resignation of Martin McGuinness.
His resignation triggered a seven-day period whereby if a deal was not reached, an election would have to be called.
The DUP’s Arlene Foster was put forward for a third term as First Minister, but Sinn Féin declined to put anyone forward to share the office with her.
Secretary of State James Brokenshire has been left with no option and the snap election will take place on March 2nd.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Charlie Flanagan, has released the following statement which says that “both Governments (Stormont and Dail Eireann) should continue to work closely together in the weeks to come, looking ahead to the post-election period, when a new power-sharing Executive will need to be formed.”.
The statement adds that: “voters are entitled to expect that their political representatives will come together respectfully, in accordance with the principles of the Good Friday Agreement, to deliver solutions for all the people of Northern Ireland.”
Minster Flanagan concludes that: “As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish government will continue to work with the British Government and all plitical parties to advance political stability, reconciliation and economic prosperity in Norther Ireland.”
Statement: Min @CharlieFlanagan on the political developments in Northern Ireland and calling of Assembly elections https://t.co/FxIV5a24Hy pic.twitter.com/SpsGkgH8r2
— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) January 16, 2017
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