The parties here are continuing to engage intensively with a view to agree the formation of an Executive.
Much progress has been made but a number of outstanding issues remain.
I believe that a resolution can be found and I am urging the parties to continue focusing all their efforts on achieving this.
The UK Government will work with the parties toward their critical objective of forming an Executive. But I have made clear to party leaders that it is for them to reach the agreement which will pave the way for this. And their focus must be on this.
All efforts of both the UK Government and the Irish Government continue to be directed towards supporting the parties on this issue, to provide for the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland as soon as possible.
That prize is achievable and remains my firm priority.
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