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Belfast Live
National
Niall Deeney

Michelle O'Neill heading to Washington to 'update' officials following election results, say Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill is travelling to Washington on Monday to "update" senior US officials on "the current situation" in Northern Ireland following recent election results.

Her party became Northern Ireland's largest in local government in the recent council elections, with the number of first preference votes cast for nationalist candidates also exceeding those for unionist candidates.

This followed last year's Assembly elections, when Sinn Fein also became the largest party for the first time.

Read more: Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill hails 'momentous' election results and calls for DUP to return to powersharing

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is also due to visit Washington in the coming week, where he is set to meet President Joe Biden.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets with US President Joe Biden at the Grand Central Hotel in Belfast, during his visit to the island of Ireland (PA Wire/PA Images)

Sinn Fein say Michelle O'Neill will urge the United States to "continue to press the British Prime Minister during his visit this week to prioritise restoration of the Assembly and Executive and progress the working of the Good Friday Agreement".

Speaking ahead of her visit to Washington, Michelle O’Neill said: “I am travelling to Washington this week to meet with senior US officials and politicians on Capitol Hill to update them on the current situation in the north following the outcome of the recent historic council elections.

“The public have now spoken in two elections over the last year.

“They have sent a clear signal they want parties working together around the Executive table delivering for all. They want the Good Friday Agreement implemented."

She continued: “They want an Executive investing in health and public services, supporting workers, families and businesses through the cost of living crisis and maximising the economic opportunities of our unique access to two of the largest markets in the world.

“The continuing refusal by one party to form an Executive is hampering progress. It is resulting in public services being left at the mercy of savage and heartless Tory cuts from London and those who work in them being denied fair pay rises.

“The British government’s response to this boycott of our political institutions is lax, complacent and irresponsible. There is no sense of urgency. It has stalled the operation of the Good Friday Agreement and is leading to political drift. That must stop."

She described the United States as a "key partner for peace in Ireland for decades", adding: “We will be urging the US Administration to impress on the British Prime Minister during his visit to Washington this week to start working with their partners in the Irish government to prioritise restoration and the full implementation of the Agreements without any more delay. There is an onus on the two governments to realise the promise and potential of the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions."

The DUP say their continued boycott of Stormont is centred on trading arrangements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland following Brexit.

Mrs O'Neill said: “The negotiation between London and Brussels on the protocol is done. The elections are over. The public have sent a clear signal. And it’s now time for government to be formed and to seize the enormous economic opportunities now open to us which was highlighted by President Biden during his historic visit to Ireland.

“Sinn Féin is ready to start that work today. I will once again set out my absolute determination to be a First Minister for All, and to co-operate and work with the other parties to support workers and families. It is what people want and deserve."

She added: “The British government by its inaction cannot give the DUP a veto over the operation of the Good Friday Agreement. The governments must act in partnership to realise the opportunities for progress, prosperity and reconciliation. There can simply be no more delays.”

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