SINN Fein vice-president Michelle O’Neill and Tanaiste Micheal Martin joined the growing chorus of calls on Thursday demanding the restoration of power sharing at the assembly for the six counties in the north of Ireland.

This comes after a deal was reached between the United Kingdom and the European Union at Windsor last month over the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Pressure is mounting on the Democratic Unionist Party to drop its veto over re-establishing power-sharing structures in time for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and a visit by US President Joe Biden.

The DUP have blocked the assembly and executive since losing the Stormont elections to Sinn Fein last May.

Ms O’Neill said that there was an onus on the British and Irish governments, as well as the parties in Stormont, to “get back to business and form a government.

“Nine months ago, the people voted in an democratic assembly election, yet no power-sharing coalition government has yet been formed.

“The democratic outcome of that election must be respected.”

Ms O’Neill said: “As an incoming First Minister, I am absolutely determined to work with others to make politics work, and to serve every single citizen as a First Minister for all.

“It is time to form an executive now to support workers, families and communities.”

Mr Martin said that the framework “comprehensively addresses the concerns of people and business in Northern Ireland.

“I am hopeful that political leaders in Northern Ireland will embrace this framework and turn their attention to getting all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement up and running again, including vital north-south co-operation,” he said.

But DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has shown little willingness to accept a Sinn Fein-led Assembly.

He has been telling audiences in the US that even though they see the new Windsor Framework as progress, his party still has reservations.