Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has stated that he is not prepared to initiate a Plan B for the return of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Stormont) at this time.
He remains optimistic that the political stalemate between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Westminster can be resolved.
Varadkar expressed his support for an alternative arrangement, which he had previously mentioned, but emphasized the importance of ensuring any new executive is sustainable and doesn't collapse shortly after its formation.
Stormont has been without a functioning executive since February 2022 due to disagreements related to the Northern Ireland Protocol, a component of the Brexit deal.
Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O'Neill had suggested discussing an alternative governance arrangement for Northern Ireland during the upcoming British-Irish Council Summit.
