merrion street

He also congratulates Robin Newton MLA on his election as Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly along with those MLAs who were elected as Deputy Speakers

"I wish the First and deputy First Minister well in their new term and on the immediate task of finalising a Programme for Government and forming an Executive.

"I look forward to working with them and the other party leaders, with whom I have spoken in recent days, in ensuring the full implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements. The Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive have a shared interest in positive North/South cooperation which can only benefit the people of our island.

"Engagement between parliamentarians from the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly has long been an important channel for reconciliation and mutual understanding and I look forward to this continuing in the new mandates of both legislatures. I want to congratulate Robin Newton on his election to the position of the Speaker of the Assembly and to his colleagues selected as Deputy Speakers - Caitríona Ruane, Patsy McGlone and Danny Kennedy.

"I wish all those who will serve in the Assembly and Executive every success in the years ahead and look forward to working closely with them to ensure that the full promise of the peace that has been achieved on our island is realised.”