There is a “window of opportunity” to reform powersharing arrangements at Stormont before the next Assembly elections, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has been told.
Reform of the institutions featured heavily in the Irish premier’s meetings with Northern Ireland political parties in Belfast on Thursday.
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said the UK and Irish governments have responsibility to drive the reform at Stormont.
“We have already produced proposals for reform of the institutions going back quite a number of years,” Ms Long said.
“What we did this week was refresh that and include other concerns we have, for example around transparency around party political financing in Northern Ireland, and other issues that we believe would lead to the renewal of democracy more widely,” she said.
“The issue has been finding the momentum and the timing between the two governments and the Assembly to be able to move this forward, and I think the time is now right.
“It’s very clear that all parties recognise the current situation where our institutions are constantly destabilised by the threat of collapse and possibility that somebody will walk away, and that we aren’t able to function as a normal government… I think are issues that most people recognise, and it’s a conversation that we need to have with a degree of urgency.”
SDLP leader Claire Hanna said she talked with the Taoiseach about the urgency of delivering reform before the next Assembly election in 2027.
“The fact is that people here deserve better than failing government, and government that is never far from collapse,” she said.
“We think that the Taoiseach understands that argument, and we’ve urged him with the UK Government to convene a process.
“There is momentum, urgency and a window to get this done in good time before the next election.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he had not read the Alliance paper on reform, and was “not rushing to”.
He said one of the biggest challenges is “willingness for people to work together”.
“The system in Northern Ireland is built on coalition politics, we have to work with people we don’t agree with, and that also means when we’re in an executive, we don’t get everything we want, and nor does every other party either,” he said.
“We have to work together, we have to build consensus. Sometimes you have to compromise too, but the idea that you can change people’s will through structures and proposals for reform is for the birds. It’s not going to work.”
