Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party, responding to today’s agreement in Northern Ireland, said:

“I welcome many aspects of an agreement which has the potential to put the process of building a better future for Northern Ireland back on track.

"We will continue to work with the two Governments and Northern Ireland’s political leaders to maintain stability and tackle the inequality which continues to be the breeding ground for division and extremism in Northern Ireland."​

Ivan Lewis MP, Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, said:

"This agreement is an important step forward and breaks the political stalemate which has held Northern Ireland back for the past two years.

"The people of Northern Ireland will welcome this progress and hope it is a turning point signalling a new willingness from their politicians to work together in pursuit of a better, shared future.

"However there can be no room for complacency. A number of contentious issues remain unresolved which have the capacity to fuel instability and Labour remains concerned that the implications of devolving corporation tax for Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom should be properly considered.

"The UK and Irish Governments are to be congratulated on their role in making this agreement possible. However, it is to be hoped the UK Government have learned hard lessons from a period of disengagement which led to serious consequences for political stability in Northern Ireland.”

ENDS