The return of power-sharing in the Northern Ireland Assembly has been welcomed by Donegal government minster, Charlie McConalogue.

In a statement, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine commented: “Watching proceedings unfold at Stormont on Saturday afternoon, I was heartened by the positive language of those who were elected to the main positions. I congratulate Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill and DUP’s Emma Little-Pengelly on their election as First Minister and Deputy First Minister, and Edwin Poots on his election as the new Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.”

“The restoration of the Assembly after a two-year suspension is good news for the people of Northern Ireland, Donegal, the North West and the island of Ireland. Thousands of Donegal people travel to Northern Ireland every day to work, so the return of the devolved government is something they, too, will welcome. Northern Ireland has suffered because of a non-functioning government, and this has had real and lasting impacts on the everyday lives of people,” he said.

“I sincerely hope that we have seen the last ever suspension of the Assembly, so the ultimate challenge of all the MLAs is to make sure they do whatever it takes to ensure that it stays in place. The focus must now switch to what the Assembly can do over the remaining three years of its five-year mandate. For people’s economic and social well-being, a new Northern Ireland with a new direction is needed,” Minister McConalogue added.

“I am confident that the new executive will waste little time in getting down to work. The restoration of the Assembly will give a timely boost to North-South relations and will help realise the full potential of the all-Ireland economy. I also believe there is a genuine willingness in the new Assembly to work together, help each other, and carry out their duties for the greater good. The interests of the people of Northern Ireland are only properly served by a functioning executive and assembly. The Irish government will support the new Northern Ireland government in any way it can as get down to the business of addressing the most immediate priorities.

“I extend my best wishes to all involved with the new Northern Ireland Executive, particularly to the new Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, who I look forward to working with,” Minister McConalogue said.