Restoration of Stormont: Joint statement by BIPA Co-chairs

Following the restoration of Stormont and the Northern Ireland Executive, Dame Karen Bradley MP and Brendan Smith TD, respectively the British and Irish Co-Chairs of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly said:

“The restoration of Stormont is an opportunity to breathe new life into democratic governance in Northern Ireland. The election of a Speaker allows the Assembly to resume its core task of representing the people of Northern Ireland. The nomination of an Executive means that important decisions on spending and strategies for tackling pressing issues of public concern can be made in a way which enables proper accountability for decision-making.”

“We commend the persistence, hard work and courage of all those who have worked to restore the Assembly to its proper place in the political life of Northern Ireland.”

“We trust that the North-South Ministerial Council will shortly resume full operation at all levels. Like the Assembly, the Council is an essential component of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, and continual and open dialogue in the Council at all levels is essential to deliver measures to improve the lives of people on both sides of the border.”

“We look forward to the Assembly working with all the institutions of that Agreement, including the British Irish Council, as well as with the new East-West Council and Intertrade UK: and we welcome the opportunities this will give to deepen further the relationships across our shared islands.”