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Talks to restore Northern Ireland\u2019s Assembly look likely to begin on Monday.<\/p>\nTalks to restore Northern Ireland\u2019s Assembly look likely to begin on Monday.<\/p>\n
Following Friday\u2019s General Election in the UK, parties across the political spectrum have stated their intent to get back around the negotiating table.<\/p>\n
It also appears that despite the election shake-up, Julian Smith will remain Northern Ireland Secretary of State.<\/p>\n
Mr Smith spoke with all five party leaders on Sunday morning and later tweeted: \u201cGood calls with all five party leaders this morning. Look forward to starting positive process tomorrow to get Stormont back up and running.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stormont has been in cold storage for more than 1,000 days due to a stand-off between Sinn F\u00e9in and the DUP on issues such as Irish language legislation and a ban on same-sex marriage.<\/p>\n
Public opinion over the stalemate has had a detrimental effect on the two major parties and this has been reflected in recent elections.<\/p>\n
The DUP suffered a considerable blow after party deputy leader Nigel Dodds lost his seat in North Belfast to Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s John Finucane.<\/p>\n
Likewise, Sinn F\u00e9in lost its seat in Foyle to the SDLP by a huge majority, in what is being seen as a resurgence in support for Colum Eastwood\u2019s party.<\/p>\n
They also took a seat from the DUP in South Belfast.<\/p>\n
It is understood both the DUP and Sinn F\u00e9in are keen to be seen to getting back around the table to restore confidence with the electorate before any further elections.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in TD Martin Kenny appeared on RT\u00c9\u2019s The Week in Politics on Sunday, saying his party \u201dabsolutely wants to be back in Stormont\u201d in January.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have any red lines, all we have called for is that all parties need to agree to implement the agreements that have already been reached,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Smith previously stated that unless agreement is reached by January 13, fresh assembly elections will be triggered.<\/p>\n