SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP led a party delegation in meetings with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Labour Leader Keir Starmer today.

Speaking after the engagements, Colum Eastwood MP said:

“After yesterday’s farce, today we have had a productive series of discussions with people who are serious about reaching an inclusive consensus on how parties can work together to restore devolution and address the challenges people in Northern Ireland are facing.

“It is in no one’s interest for the political amateur dramatics to continue, least of all people waiting for life saving hospital care who should be at the forefront of all our minds. It is time for political leaders to work seriously, intensively and constructively together in the substantial common interests of the people and communities we represent.

“The SDLP presented our proposal to amend the rules on the nomination of a Speaker today which would, in our view, lead to the restoration of the Assembly with the support of nationalists, unionists and others. We have been told that others would take a ‘graduated response’ to progress in UK-EU negotiations, our proposal is an opportunity to demonstrate that such a commitment was made in good faith.

“People will look at what has happened this week in despair. It’s now time for political parties to show leadership and work together to fix this mess.”