Varadkar to underline ‘pressing’ need for return of powersharing

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Varadkar will meet Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, UUP leader Doug Beattie and the SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole. Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said there was still “no clarity” as to whether or when the Executive and Assembly would be restored. “I am incredibly frustrated, but I think my frustration probably pales into insignificance in terms of the frustration that is felt by the wider public at the fact that we do not have functioning institutions at a time of unprecedented financial crisis facing our public sector,” she told RTE Radio’s Morning Ireland. Speaking last week, Mr Heaton-Harris said he is “acutely aware” that the ongoing absence of a Stormont Executive is “exasperating the challenges facing all public services across Northern Ireland”.