Michelle O'Neill: Party leaders united in calls to bring back Executive

By PA

A meeting of the Stormont party leaders over the Budget impasse has been described as a “very forthright and very robust exchange”.

Speaking at Belfast City Hall following the virtual meeting, Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill said all the parties pressed the DUP to nominate a first minister to allow the Executive to function fully.

She said the party leaders are to meet again on Friday.

“The party leaders meeting happened this morning and it was a very forthright and a very robust exchange,” she said.

“It was very clear that every other party leader wants the Executive up and running. It is the only way in which we can distribute financial aid to support people through the cost-of-living crisis, it is the only mechanism in which we can agree a three-year Budget, a Budget that would have prioritised health, a Budget that would have made a difference to people in terms of the cost-of-living crisis.

“We can’t get past go in terms of supporting people until the DUP nominate again to the Executive. And that was the very clear message that Jeffrey Donaldson heard from all the other party leaders today.

“We need to do the business, we need to be in the Executive. I stand ready to be in the Executive. Conor Murphy, the Finance Minister, stands ready to be in that Executive today to make these decisions.”

(Michelle O'Neill says party leaders all want Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to reinstate first minister urgently)

Meanwhile, Alliance leader Naomi Long has called on the DUP to appoint a first minister for a short period of time to allow a Budget to pass to mitigate the cost-of-living crisis.

Mrs Long was speaking after chairing a meeting of the five leaders of the Stormont parties, which discussed the Budget crisis.

She said: “People are struggling to heat their homes, feed their families or fill their cars with petrol.

“There is £300 million in the Executive’s coffers we would like to see in people’s pockets. It won’t put things back to normal but certainly it would have a positive impact for those struggling.

“I hope what was discussed today will give the DUP pause for thought.

“I call on them to replace the first minister for even a short period to allow the decision to be taken around this money.

“They have issues with the Executive but they are ideological. Let’s deal with the practical issues affecting people in the here and now.

“If they were to do so, it would be welcome and it would allow the money to get out to those in need. In the meantime, we will continue to work to find a way through this crisis, so we can make a real difference to people’s lives in a difficult time.”