He said:

 “Like the public I am deeply frustrated at the continued stalemate we are faced with in the North. Despite the announcement that a talks process would resume this week – we are all still in the dark over what exactly the DUP and Sinn Féin have been discussing for the past year.

“The DUP and Sinn Féin have now been given more than enough space to achieve a deal between themselves. After a year of being indulged, now is the time to put them under real pressure to come clean and secure the deal the North needs.

“Today I made it very clear to both the British and Irish Governments that a step change was needed.  That means that the progress and compromises we have been told were made between the DUP and Sinn Féin need to be put on the table.

“With representatives of the business community, the health sector, victims of institutional abuse and the head of the civil service speaking out in support of a return to local government here there is no time to waste.

“We need an open, transparent and inclusive process – and the two Governments now need to face facts - they are not bystanders, they need to remove the shroud of secrecy and get on with the job.”