The Northern Ireland secretary of state is expected to call new Stormont elections today. The DUP has refused to allow a Stormont Assembly to function, in protest over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
It's been suggested December the 15th will be the date for a new round of elections. Sinn Féin's Pádraig MacLochlainn says the DUP has refused to take responsibility for cost-of-living crisis in the North.
"I think it is deeply regrettable and I think it is an insult to all the people in the North of Ireland who voted in a democratic election only a few months ago.
"The DUP have refused to take up their seats in the Executive. They have refused to take responsibility for the cost of living crisis that is in the North of Ireland.
"As it is in Britain, and as it is right across the island of Ireland," added Deputy MacLochlainn. Meanwhile, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson says they're standing firm on their position.
"We do not believe sufficient progress has been made to addressing the issues of concern to the people we represent.
"We were given a clear mandate in the Assembly Elections that we would not nominate ministers until decisive action was taken on the Protocol," he added.
