Northern Ireland power‑sharing strained as Sinn Féin warns DUP

Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy said power‑sharing in Northern Ireland is in a “precarious place” and criticised the Democratic Unionist Party for lacking the political will to make the Assembly work. DUP leader Gavin Robinson responded that his party remains committed to the institutions and to delivering for the people of Northern Ireland. Alliance leader Naomi Long called on all sides to step back, take a deep breath and focus on what can be achieved over the next nine months.

The remarks came during a visit by the new Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant, who arrived for his first official trip to the region, toured the Thales defence plant in east Belfast and met party leaders at Hillsborough Castle. Bryant said he aims to be an “honest and fair broker” between parties and expressed nervousness about “walking on eggshells”. Stormont ministers have still not agreed a budget, adding to the uncertainty around the power‑sharing institutions.