Statement By Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD
Following last night's election in the north, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has said:
"Firstly, I want to thank all of our Sinn Féin candidates, our activists and those who voted for Sinn Féin."This was an historic election and a defining moment in our politics.
"Brexit has changed the political landscape in Ireland, in Britain and in Europe.
"All the old certainties are gone.
"In this election, voters clearly responded to co-operation between pro-remain, progressive parties and that has demonstrated once again that the majority of people in the north are opposed to being dragged out of the EU, opposed to any hardening of the border in Ireland and want to protect the Good Friday Agreement and the all-Ireland economy.
"Sinn Féin wants to see a successful conclusion of the talks established by the two governments and the political institutions restored on a credible and a sustainable basis.
"I and our negotiating team stand ready to re-enter talks with the two governments and the other parties on Monday and we will work towards securing agreement on outstanding issues.
"We need a new kind of politics, a new Assembly and a new Executive, which is underpinned by the resources to deliver quality public services.
"Alongside this, it is now impossible to ignore the growing demand for a referendum on Irish Unity and I want to reiterate Sinn Féin's call for the Irish government to establish an All-Ireland Forum on Irish Unity without delay."