Mr Catney welcomed the dialogue aimed at securing a power sharing Executive as soon as possible.

He said:

“Restoring government is the SDLP’s first priority in the days and weeks ahead. Only a functioning power sharing government can deliver on the issues important to people in our community – health, housing, education and creating new jobs.

“I will play whatever part I can to ensure that we deliver for the people who provided us with this mandate. Today’s meeting with the Irish government was a positive and productive engagement aimed at securing the future of devolution. I was delighted to be asked by Colum Eastwood to attend the meeting. 

“This is a time for all parties to put their shoulders to the wheel to get a government. But it must be a different type of government than we’ve seen over the last nine months. I am acutely aware that my election was a cross community victory. I will be working very hard over the coming weeks to repay the trust placed in me.”