The SDLP is proposing changes to the election of a Speaker in the North to unblock the Stormont impasse. It hopes to end the one-party veto that has, it says, "frustrated the democratic wishes of the people of Northern Ireland".
Northern Ireland has been without a Government since last May's election, when the DUP refused to re-enter power-sharing. SDLP Assembly Leader Matthew O'Toole explains what his party is looking for.
"We would move from having a situation where full double majority is required in the Assembly to a majority of two thirds of Assembly members in order to elect a Speaker. We don't think that is the ideal situation but we think it's better than where we are now.
"We think it's a step forward to have at least have an Assembly meeting to discuss these issues; it wouldn't appoint ministers but it would be a better situation than we have at the minute. Meanwhile, The Tanaiste believes there is a journey to travel yet, to deal with differences over the Northern Ireland protocol.
However, Michael Martin has welcomed what he describes as "positive momentum" in talks between the EU and UK. The Foreign Affairs Minister was speaking after meeting the EU's Chief Negotiator, Maros Sefcovic in Brussels yesterday.
"I also believe that it's important to allow both the EU and UK negotiators time and space to get into the detail and to work on the detail of this agreement. I think that's important and there is obviously a journey to travel yet," he concluded.
