Stormont talks: parties meet with Chris Heaton-Harris in Hillsborough

Northern Ireland's political parties were meeting Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, today (Monday) at Hillsborough Castle today as efforts continued to restore Stormont.

Party representatives were meeting separately and while devolution was the main item on the agenda, the impact of public sector strike action on Thursday was also expected to be raised.

As politicians entered the castle they were greeted by trade union leaders.

Our Political Reporter JAMES GOULD was there for Downtown Radio & Cool FM

As she arrived at the talks, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill spoke with parents of children with special needs who were protesting about the impact of potential strike action.

Ms O'Neill told the parents she would be raising their concerns during the meeting.

inn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill called on DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to "step up to the mark" and return to powersharing in Northern Ireland.

"It's time for Jeffrey Donaldson to step up to the mark. It's time for Jeffrey Donaldson to provide positive leadership," Ms O'Neill said at Hillsborough after a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.

"The wider public are severely frustrated, I believe, with the wider political situation, the fact that the DUP have blocked the formation of an executive since the last Assembly election that we had, that's not an accepted position.

"We're two years-post that, that anniversary comes up in the next week or so.

"So, I still encourage the DUP to use the small window that we have ahead of us, in advance of the 18th, to actually join the rest of us and get into that executive.

"Let's fight for good public services and public sector pay for all those workers that are going to take to the picket lines on Thursday."