Simon Coveney warns against calling 'unnecessary' election in Northern Ireland

The Minister for Foreign Affairs said there are only two options - to go with the legal obligation to set an election date or to draft new legislation to avoid an election

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney described the discussion with Chris Heaton-Harris as a "good meeting" during which both men reflected on the current situation and the legal obligations that he has as Northern Secretary.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has warned against calling an election in Northern Ireland saying it would be "unnecessary" and "unhelpful".

Mr Coveney met with Chris Heaton-Harris on Wednesday after the Northern Ireland Secretary failed to set a date for a poll after Friday's deadline for restoring the institutions passed. Legislation requires an election to be held within the next 12 weeks.