PM and Taoiseach hope for ‘respectful’ election campaign

  • UTV
The Stormont Assembly will officially be dissolved next week. Credit: Presseye

Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Enda Kenny have expressed hope for a “respectful” election campaign in Northern Ireland, following the collapse of the power-sharing executive.

The leaders spoke by telephone after Secretary of State James Brokenshire confirmed voters will go to the polls on 2 March amid a deepening political crisis.

There are fears Northern Ireland may face a lengthy period of political uncertainty.

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While Mr Brokenshire has insisted that no alternatives to devolution are being considered, it has been acknowledged that a divisive election campaign could be deeply damaging.

A spokesman for Enda Kenny said that the British and Irish leaders both regretted that the DUP and Sinn Féin had been unable to reach agreement.

“The Taoiseach and Prime Minister repeated their desire to see the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement operating effectively, and in particular to have a fully-functioning Executive in place as soon as possible,” the spokesman added.

If a new power-sharing administration cannot be formed after the March election, Northern Ireland faces the prospect of yet another election - or even direct rule being re-imposed from Westminster.

  • WATCH: UUP's Robin Swann and SDLP's Colum Eastwood talk to UTV