Brokenshire warns window 'limited' to restore Assembly

Secretary of State James Brokenshire has warned that there is only a limited window in which to restore the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Executive.

On Sunday, amid the fall-out from the snap election, Mr Brokenshire said that urgent discussions were now needed and that the onus was firmly on the DUP and Sinn Féin to reach agreement.

However, he added that all parties eligible to nominate Executive ministers needed to be involved in resolving the wider issues which remain outstanding.

Outlining that the British and Irish governments would have roles to play, Mr Brokenshire said: “Discussions will focus on securing implementation on the basis of existing commitments rather than there negotiation of prior agreements.

“In particular, there is an urgent need to resolve the implementation of the commitments concerning the legacy of the past in the Stormont House Agreement.”

The Secretary of State added: “Starting immediately, the UK and Irish Governments will work closely with the parties to secure progress on these issues.

"These discussions will be confidential.”