From Department of Foreign Affairs
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"I note the announcement by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland today.
"It is deeply regrettable that it has come to the point where the Secretary of State is under a legal obligation to call an election. This is due to a political choice by one party to block the formation of the Executive, and to prevent those MLAs elected in May from exercising their fundamental democratic role.
"My position, and that of Irish Government, remains unchanged. I want to see an Executive formed in Northern Ireland and, separately, I want to see early substantive progress in the EU-UK talks.
"I spoke with the Secretary of State yesterday. We were in contact again today and will remain in close contact."