Micheál Martin urges DUP to restore powersharing at Stormont

Ireland's taoiseach says party should honour mandate of people of Northern Ireland ahead of election deadline

Ireland's taoiseach has called on the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) to honour" the mandate of the people of Northern Ireland by contributing to the restoration of the Stormont institutions as the election deadline looms.

Micheal Martin said it does not appear that devolved government at Stormont will be restored by Friday's deadline. He added that it is not satisfactory" that the powersharing institutions are not functioning.