NI Executive remains stable, first minister claims

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, The first minister said there is "a collective will" to make politics work
  • Author, Enda McClafferty
  • Role, 91热爆 News NI Political Editor

First Minister Michelle O鈥橬eill has denied the government at Stormont has been destabilised by recent controversies around her party.

While she accepted the past number of weeks have been 鈥渄ifficult鈥, she insisted the power-sharing executive remains 鈥渟table鈥.

The first minister was speaking at the opening of a new Irish language school Gaelscoil U铆 Dhochartaigh in Strabane.

The 拢7.2m school is the second Irish language school to be built outside Belfast.

'A huge lot of work'

Speaking for the first time since her appearance before a Stormont scrutiny committee this week, Michelle O鈥橬eill said she now wanted to focus on the future.

When asked to respond to accusations that she evaded many questions, the first minister said: 鈥淚've spent four weeks now answering questions. Where I'm focused now is on the business of government."

She added: 鈥淓mma and I have a huge lot of work to get through.

"We're determined to continue to lead from the front on all the key issues of the day.鈥

'Determined'

O鈥橬eill also insisted there was no threat to the future of government at Stormont.

She said: 鈥減eople should be very assured government is stable. The executive is stable.

鈥淲e are there to work together, where there are four parties around a coalition in terms of bringing our own priorities," she said.

鈥淚 believe there's a collective will across the executive to make politics work here. I believe that's what the public demand and deserve," she continued.

"I'm determined to lead that executive.鈥