'Northern Ireland needs a Government now'

The Sinn Fein President has urged the UK and the EU to strike a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol. Mary Lou McDonald made the comments after meeting the Northern Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and the Stormont parties.

The British Government earlier set out plans to further delay a fresh Northern Ireland Assembly election. It has extended the deadline for the formation of a new executive until January 18th, next year.

Deputy McDonald says there needs to be a Government in Northern Ireland. "We need decisions now; we need a result now; and the North needs a Government now. And, we need a budget to match the needs here in this society," she added.