Joint UK-Ireland statement confirms new Stormont talks process

By David Hunter

The British and Irish governments have launched a new round of political talks and called for "new thinking" to re-establish devolved powersharing in Northern Ireland.

Negotiations are expected to take place as soon as possible after local council elections in Northern Ireland on May 2. All the main parties will be invited.

On Wednesday, Catholic peacemaking priest Father Martin Magill challenged politicians as to why it had taken the death of 29-year-old Lyra McKee shot by dissident republicans to unite them, at her funeral.

Prime Minister Theresa May and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "We also heard the unmistakable message to all political leaders that people across Northern Ireland want to see a new momentum for political progress.

"We agree that what is now needed is actions and not just words from all of us who are in positions of leadership."

The institutions have been suspended for more than two years following a row between former governing partners the DUP and Sinn Fein. Endless rounds of negotiations failed to break the deadlock.

Sinn Fein has rejected DUP leader Arlene Foster's latest offer to move the political impasse in Northern Ireland.

IMAGE: Journalist Lyra McKee, 29, murdered in Derry- Londonderry by the 'New IRA'

Theresa May and Leo Varadkar issued the following a short time ago.

“In coming together with other political leaders in St Anne’s Cathedral to pay tribute to Lyra McKee, we gave expression to the clear will and determination of all of the people of these islands to reject violence and to support peace and a better future for everyone in Northern Ireland.

We also heard the unmistakable message to all political leaders that people across Northern Ireland want to see a new momentum for political progress. We agree that what is now needed is actions and not just words from all of us who are in positions of leadership.

We have agreed to establish a new process of political talks, involving all the main political parties in Northern Ireland, together with the UK and Irish Governments, in accordance with the three stranded process. The aim of these talks is quickly to re-establish to full operation the democratic institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement - the NI Executive, Assembly and North-South Ministerial Council - so that they can effectively serve all of the people for the future.

IMAGE: Karen Bradley and Simon Coveney speaking at Stormont House during previous talks

We have asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Tánaiste to meet later today in Belfast to set out our proposed approach and to commence the talks process as soon as possible after the local elections in Northern Ireland.

In addition, we have agreed that there should be a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference during the same period. The Conference will consider East/West relations, security cooperation, and political stability in Northern Ireland.

We understand the complexity of the underlying concerns of all parties, and the need for renewed trust, mutual respect, generosity and new thinking to resolve the issues.

As Prime Minister and Taoiseach, we are determined to work together to ensure this process comes to a successful conclusion.

We will review progress at the end of May.”