Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent estimate she has made of the likely timescale for talks to begin between the main political parties on the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

I met Northern Ireland’s five largest political parties recently to explore how we might achieve the restoration of devolved government while ensuring the good governance of Northern Ireland in the interim. I will continue to engage closely with them, and the Irish Government as appropriate, to encourage and support work towards an accomodation to restore the Executive. This remains a top priority for the Government.