Micheal Martin has called for “calm heads” in Northern Ireland after the sudden resignation of DUP leader Edwin Poots on Thursday night.
The Taoiseach was speaking after the North’s political institutions were left in turmoil following Mr Poots walking out after just weeks in office.
The man he nominated as the new First Minister at Stormont, Paul Givan, has been left hanging onto office by a thread as his own party overwhelmingly don’t support him.
Mr Martin spoke publicly about the political crisis for the first time to reporters outside Government Buildings in Dublin on Friday morning.
He said: “In relation to the situation in Northern Ireland, it has been a very turbulent 24 hours.
“I think it’s important that we all work collectively on the island towards maintaining stability and calm heads, staying focused on what it important to the people within Northern Ireland, which is a government that can work on pressing issues, in terms of restoration of health services, continuing to deal with Covid-19 and indeed the broader economic issues.
“The Government will work with all parties and with the British Government to protect the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and to work to ensure the continuation of the Assembly and the Executive.
“It’s been a very difficult period and once again I say it’s important that we stay focused on the issues.
“We;ll obviously work with the new leadership, that’s a matter for the DUP party, whoever emerges as their new leader, we will work constructively with their new leader.
“It’s been personally a very difficult time for the outgoing leader, Edwin Poots, but I think it’s important that we maintain relationships obviously and that we work constructively together with all parties.”
Mr Martin added: “Having met many people from the North in recent times, there is a real genuine desire for politics that works, for a governing system that works and I think it’s important we all work towards that end, particularly in the context of an unprecedented pandemic.”
The DUP are expected to move quickly to appoint a new leader, with the candidate beaten in last month’s contest, Jeffrey Donaldson, expected to emerge victorious this time around.
