LAST UPDATE | 1 Nov 2022

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said that that there needs to be a discussion around a “recalibration” of mechanisms at Stormont, as the Executive remains blocked by the DUP.

Speaking this morning, Martin said that there was a “legitimate basis” for discussion around tackling issues with the Good Friday Agreement after 25 years, however it should not take place until after the next Assembly election.

“I think there’s a legitimate basis for a discussion between the political parties and the two Governments for an Assembly election in five years time as to whether the mechanisms and the framework that was designed 25 years ago should be recalibrated” said Martin.

He added that he thought it was necessary due to the breakthrough of the centreground, including the Alliance Party.

“I don’t think it’s satisfactory that parties like Alliance had a significant breakthrough are essentially excluded,” said Martin. 

“I don’t think that can stand up too much longer.”

Martin added that he expected that this could look like the normal Government and Opposition style of politics.

“Given what’s happening across Europe in terms of coalition governments forming and so on, I think there’s options here now that may not have been there 25 years ago,” he added.

This afternoon, both Sinn Féin and the DUP have accused Chris Heaton-Harris of failing to provide clarity on whether a Northern Ireland election would be held.

The UK’s Northern Ireland Secretary met with political leaders in Stormont earlier this morning amid continuing uncertainty over if and when he intends to call an election in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill said he had provided “no clarity” as to how he will deal with the ongoing crisis at Stormont, while DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said they were not told “if and when” an election would be called.

“So, at the moment, neither we nor the people of Northern Ireland know if and when an election will take place,” Donaldson said.

O’Neill said that there while questions were asked of Heaton-Harris around the election, there was “no further information as to the U-turn”.

“We’re left with no information in terms of what happens next, or at least what he intends to do next,” O’Neill said,

“It’s very clear he has a legal obligation in which to call an election if an Executive is not formed.

“But he did not colour in the lines today. He certainly did not provide any clarity around what he intends to do next, apart from to say that he’s here to meet with people.”

The meetings come amid warnings of “unprecedented anger” in loyalist communities over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The 24-week deadline for forming a functioning power-sharing executive in Belfast following May’s election ran out at midnight early on Friday.

Heaton-Harris insisted last week he still intended to call an election but failed to set a date.

Sinn Féin has accused the DUP of refusing to accept the results of May’s election, which saw a nationalist party win the most number of seats for the first time ever.

But the DUP is boycotting the Assembly until action is taken on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

In a statement issued on Sunday night, Heaton-Harris said: “I know no one in Northern Ireland is calling for an election – but nearly all Parties signed up to the Agreement that put us in this position only a couple of years ago.

“It was particularly disappointing to see yesterday that the Assembly was still unable to elect a Speaker, despite all the time that has passed,” he said.

He also indicated he would potentially take action to cut the pay of MLAs.

“At a time when so many are struggling with the cost of living and fearful of what is to come, I understand people’s frustration that MLAs continue to draw a full salary when they are not performing all the duties they were elected to do.”

He also shut down the idea of “joint authority” ruling of the North between Dublin and London: “To those who have called for “joint authority” of Northern Ireland in recent days, let me say this: this won’t be considered. The UK Government is absolutely clear that the consent principle governs the constitutional position of Northern Ireland. We will not support any arrangements that are inconsistent with that principle.”

Loyalist tension

Writing in the Unionist Voice, Progressive Unionist Party leader Billy Hutchinson said that ” We are angry that the EU, the Irish Government and a new generation of nationalists have so flagrantly and arrogantly dismantled that which so many of us – on both sides of the divide – painstakingly built.

“The Protocol has subjugated Northern Ireland’s place in the Union and disapplied the key cross-community consent safeguard; and now we have nationalist parties and the Irish Government talking up joint-authority and majority rule which would dismantle the whole basis of the Agreement.

“Is it any wonder there is unprecedented anger in loyalist communities?”

When asked about a report in the Belfast Telegraph about a cancelled attack against the member of the Irish Government, the Taoiseach said that he had not been briefed on the matter yet.

However, he condemned anyone who would advocate for violence on the island.

“We’ve all seen and witnessed in our lives the appaling impact violence has had on people on this island.”

With reporting from PA and Tadgh McNally