Need to return to principles of Good Friday Agreement-O'Neill

By Simon Hunter

Michelle O'Neill says there needs to be a return to the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.

There are just two weeks left for Northern Ireland's two biggest parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein, to form a Stormont Executive, or there's a risk of Direct Rule from Westminster.

Speaking in Dublin today, O'Neill says they're working to reach a power-sharing agreement.

DUP leader Arlene Foster has described the rise in support for Sinn Fein as a "wake-up call for Unionism."

She was speaking to Sky News, in her first broadcast interview since the election.

Ms O'Neill says Sinn Fein's views on Arlene Foster are clear.

At the most recent election, Sinn Fein closed the gap on the DUP to a solitary seat while the overall unionist majority at Stormont was lost.

Only 1,168 first preference votes separated the two parties.

If the three-week post-election deadline passes, Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is legally obliged to call yet another election.

In those circumstances, the Government may pass emergency legislation to suspend devolution for the first time in 10 years ahead of more lengthy negotiations.