Talks begin today on forming a new Assembly in the North.

Political parties have three weeks to re-establish a power-sharing government or voters will have to go back to the polls

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire are to meet the parties at the request of Enda Kenny and Theresa May. 

Sinn Fein says it won't consent to Arlene Foster as First Minister until the cash for ash scandal is resolved.

Belfast based journalist Alan Murray says the DUP have backed themselves into a corner: