Sinn Féin eager to get back down to business

Sinn Féin National Chairper-son Mitchel McLaughlin has urged the two governments to speedily refocus their efforts to build upon the progress already achieved last year and see the job of achieving a deal completed.

"Sinn Féin is eager to get back down to the business of seeing a deal done and the progress made last year built upon," he said. "This can only happen on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

"Sinn Féin is not interested in long fingering this process until after elections. We believe that the job can be completed and completed quickly if the necessary political will is there.

"It is, therefore, important that the two governments speedily re-engage with all of the parties as we seek to find a way forward and see the political institutions re-established and the other outstanding matters implemented. If the DUP are not up for this challenge then the process of change must move ahead without them."