All parties need to seize the moment and return to work at Stormont – Heydon

All political parties in the North should grasp the historic opportunity to restore power-sharing, Fine Gael Parliamentary Party Chairman Martin Heydon has urged.

Deputy Heydon said this was the moment for all politicians to get back working for all their communities at Stormont.

Speaking ahead of the annual New Year Fine Gael party meeting in Dublin today, Deputy Heydon said, “The ‘New Decade, New Approach’ agreement, which was painstakingly negotiated over nine months, is a fair and balanced deal to bring an end to three years of stagnation”.

He said the Taoiseach and Tánaiste had carefully and skilfully negotiated the agreement with the British government showing the shared future between Ireland and the UK regardless of Brexit.

“The entire Fine Gael parliamentary party throws its weight behind this deal which crucially would see all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement restored including Stormont, the North South Ministerial Council and Northern Ireland’s participation in the British/Irish Council.

“I urge all political leaders in the North to bring their supporters with them. A breakthrough has been found. Let’s grasp it now.

“This is the work of all the parties, this is the parties’ deal. You can see all of their input throughout the agreement. It’s time to give Northern Ireland its voice back,” Deputy Heydon said.