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Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has expressed confidence that Stormont\u2019s main parties will navigate the process of renominating ministers and keep power-sharing alive in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\nTaoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has expressed confidence that Stormont\u2019s main parties will navigate the process of renominating ministers and keep power-sharing alive in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
His comments come amid continuing uncertainty over the fate of the devolved executive once Arlene Foster formally resigns as first minister.<\/p>\n
When Mrs Foster resigns \u2013 a move expected at the start of next week \u2013 deputy First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill will be automatically removed from her post at the same time, as the joint office can only function if both positions are filled.<\/p>\n
Both the DUP and Sinn F\u00e9in will then need to renominate their respective first and deputy first ministers within seven days.<\/p>\n
If the process proceed without issue, the DUP will nominate Lagan Valley MLA Paul Given as First Minister and Sinn F\u00e9in will renominate Ms O\u2019Neill as deputy First Minister.<\/p>\n
However, if one of the parties declines to renominate, or if either nomination fails to gain sufficient Assembly support, then a functioning Executive could not be formed and a snap election would become likely.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in has declined to definitively state its intentions next week amid speculation the party has sought firm guarantees from new DUP leader Edwin Poots that he will fulfil a commitment to legislate for Irish language protections at Stormont.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster, Ms O\u2019Neill and Mr Martin were among political leaders attending a meeting of the British Irish Council in Co Fermanagh on Friday.<\/p>\n
Asked about the stability of the institutions in Belfast, the Taoiseach said: \u201cThroughout the journey of building peace on the island, there will be many ups and downs, there\u2019ll be many twists and turns.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut as political leaders we have to make that commitment to the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement and the frameworks of that agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a glass half full person in the sense that I believe everybody has a desire to keep the institutions in place, to work the institutions and make them effective for the people that we represent.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom my own soundings and discussions, I am very clear that all of the political leaders are very anxious to maintain power-sharing, to maintain the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, to fulfil all of their obligations in relation to the Good Friday Agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously there will always be issues, there always have been issues, and the parties obviously will engage and work through those issues, there are overarching agreements that everybody has signed up to.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople do need commitments in respect of those agreements.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut ultimately, in politics, where there\u2019s evidence of goodwill, we can overcome these challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd in my view, that\u2019s the agenda coming forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Mr Poots warned it would be \u201cexplosive\u201d if Sinn F\u00e9in refused to nominate.<\/p>\n
Ms O\u2019Neill was again non-committal on Friday when asked what her party intended to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cSinn F\u00e9in are very committed to power-sharing and always have been, we believe in it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always worked the institutions faithfully, we demonstrate good faith and respect for other parties around the executive table.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very challenging executive \u2013 five different parties trying to work their way through day-to-day issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s challenging at the best of times, as Arlene will attest to. But I think that, for our part, we\u2019re committed to making it work.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had some discussions, as you know, between Mary Lou McDonald and Edwin Poots, and Edwin Poots is in no doubt around what\u2019s required to make power-sharing work.\u201d<\/p>\n