Prime minister to join devolution talks in Northern Ireland

The devolved government collapsed in January 2017 over a botched renewable energy scheme.

By David Blevins, senior Ireland correspondent

Image: Mr Johnson says power should be restored to Stormont as soon as possible

Boris Johnson will use his first visit to Northern Ireland as prime minister to call for the restoration of devolved government.
He is scheduled to meet representatives from the five parties attempting to reach agreement on power-sharing at Stormont.
The prime minister said: "The people of Northern Ireland have now been without an Executive and Assembly for two years and six months - put simply, this is much, much too long.
"Northern Ireland's citizens need and deserve the Executive to get up and running again as soon as possible, so that locally-accountable politicians can take decisions on the issues that really matter to local people.
"I'm pleased to meet each of Northern Ireland's party leaders today to stress that I am going to do everything in my power to make the ongoing talks to restore devolution a success."

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Mr Johnson, who arrived in Belfast on Tuesday night, had a private dinner with DUP leader Arlene Foster, deputy leader Nigel Dodds MP and chief whip Jeffrey Donaldson MP.

Mrs Foster said: "I was delighted to welcome him to Northern Ireland so early in his premiership.

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"We want to see devolution restored in Northern Ireland, Brexit delivered and the Union strengthened," she added.

Image: Arlene Foster had dinner with Boris Johnson on Tuesday night

Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou McDonald says if talks are to succeed "the issues of rights, respect and equality need to be resolved".
It was January 2017 when the devolved government collapsed over a botched renewable energy scheme costing the taxpayer £400m.
Sinn Fein refused to resume power-sharing unless the DUP agreed to an Irish Language Act and to legislate for same-sex marriage.
Six months after the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly, the DUP found itself holding the balance of power at Westminster.

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The British and Irish governments announced the current phase of negotiations following the 'New IRA' murder of journalist Lyra McKee in April.
The priest officiating at her funeral received a standing ovation when he rebuked political leaders for not coming together sooner.

Image: The Order of Service for the funeral for murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast

Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith said: "The prime minister's visit during his first full week in office shows how important Northern Ireland is to this government.
"It is of critical importance that new momentum is now introduced to the ongoing talks process and that all of the parties work collectively to reach agreement," he added.
In a telephone conversation yesterday, Downing Street said the British and Irish prime ministers expressed their determination to see the Stormont Executive and Assembly restored "as quickly as possible."