Adams calls for return of Stormont inistitutions

The Sinn FĂ©in President Gerry Adams has called for the immediate return of the Stormont institutions.

Presseye
Published 12th Jun 2017

The Louth TD spoke at Stormont on Monday afternoon and warned that any deal between the DUP and Conservatives would be bad for Northern Ireland.

He also claimed that they wanted a new, independent chair for the talks, with the Secretary of State James Brokenshire having chaired them thus far.

"We are here to do business," he said.

"We are meeting with the two governments and all the parties this afternoon.

"Our resolve is to see these institutions put in place on the basis they were founded upon as quickly as possible.

"That could be done this time tomorrow morning or dinner time today.

"They are all rights issues subject to previous agreements.'

"We made clear at the beginning of these talks that James Brokenshire is not an acceptable chair.''

Earlier Mr Brokenshire appeared to rule out an independent mediator to chair the Stormont talks amid criticism his impartiality has been compromised by the anticipated Democratic Unionist/Conservative parliamentary deal.

He said the current process - which involves the UK and Irish governments chairing elements of the negotiations and the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service moderating other discussions - is the "right approach''.