Armagh: North-South Ministerial Council meets for first time in almost three years

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar expressed confidence today (Monday) that the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland remain stable - in the wake of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's resignation from the DUP

Speaking after attending a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh, he said: "I am confident that the institutions are stable and will be sustainable.

"Events happen in politics, whether it's changes in leadership, there'll be elections for the House of Commons, there'll be elections for the Dail all within the next year, and what's really important is that institutions should be able to function through them and withstand any disruption that may occur.

"And that's happened in the past, and I'm sure it can in the future.

"And I know from my experience, having served in government for quite some time and having observed the institutions functioning and not functioning, what we know is that whenever they fall, they tend not to be re-established for many years.

"And I think we should always bear that in mind and make sure that we don't see another break happen."

This was Mr Varadkar's final major political engagement before he steps down as Taoiseach and replaced by Simon Harris, who was also present at today's meeting - the first time the council has met in almost three years.

First MInister Michelle O'Neill was also in attendance.

She said it was "business as usual as far as the Executive is concerned".

"We're here today as joint heads of government to be part of the North South Ministerial Council meeting, and what the public deserve and want is leadership, and we're prepared to provide that leadership," she said.

"We've spoken to all Executive colleagues, everybody was here today to play their part in terms of their own ministerial responsibility. We're leaving here very quickly to get back into the Assembly because we've much business to do.

"That's where we need to be focused and that's certainly where I'm focused. I think the public rightly want leadership at times of crisis, and I'm determined, and I believe Emma (Little-Pengelly) is also to provide that leadership."

Meanwhile, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: "I'm absolutely determined to provide what stability I can to ensure that the Executive can continue in a positive tone.

"We have an important number of weeks coming up where we'll be discussing the draft programme for government and the budget. Those are two key documents in terms of the agenda for government.

"The people of Northern Ireland demand that stability, they demand that delivery, I am very conscious of that and that is what I'll be focusing on."

She went on: "In relation to unionism in general, I believe unionism has a very strong and capable leader in Gavin Robinson.

"He has my full support and I know that he has the support of unionism right across the piece.

"I wish him all the best in the weeks and months ahead. I think he will do a fantastic job to be that strong leader for unionism at this time."