Sir Jeffrey Donaldson: 'There were no no voices of dissent' during DUP executive meeting

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said there were "absolutely no voices of dissent" during a party executive meeting in Lurgan on Thursday night.

Up to 130 DUP members gathered in the Co Armagh town for an update on where the party is going in regards to the continuing discussions with the government.

After the meeting Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he was not yet in a position to make a recommendation to party colleagues on whether to return to powersharing at Stormont, as he was awaiting final proposals from the UK.

Mr Donaldson spoke to our Political reporter James Gould in Lurgan.

Watch full interview below.

The DUP withdrew first minister Paul Givan from the Stormont executive in February 2022 in protest with issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Powersharing is unable to function without the participation of the biggest unionist party.

Sir Jeffrey told our Political Reporter that he expects to hear back from the government "over the next few weeks" in relation to the DUP proposals to the Windsor Framework.

Meanwhile, Ireland's premier has said Rishi Sunak is hopeful talks with the DUP on restoring powersharing in Northern Ireland are moving towards a positive conclusion.

Leo Varadkar said the Prime Minister briefed him on the status of the UK Government's negotiations with the DUP during their bilateral meeting in Spain on Thursday.

Mr Varadkar, who remained in Granada on Friday for a meeting with EU leaders, said a window of opportunity to reach an agreement may be approaching.

Mr Varadkar was asked about his meeting with Mr Sunak as he spoke to reporters in Granada on Friday morning.

"Prime minister Sunak gave me a briefing on the talks and contacts that they're having with the DUP at the moment," he said.

"They're ongoing. He didn't go into the detail of those but very much said that they were bilateral discussions between the DUP and the UK Government, and that he hoped that they were moving towards a conclusion and that that would be a positive conclusion. But that remains to be seen."

Mr Varadkar added: "There wasn't any timeline given but you'll be aware the DUP had an internal party meeting that happened there yesterday, and their conference is coming up at the weekend (October 13/14).

"So, you know, perhaps this is another window of opportunity to come to an agreement, an agreement between the UK Government and the DUP which enables the Assembly, executive and the North South Ministerial Council to start functioning again.

"So, you know, hopefully that's the case but that remains to be seen over the next couple of weeks."