Northern Ireland

Michelle O'Neill said conversation with the Queen was 'very good'

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she held a 'very good' conversation with the Queen.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she held a 'very good' conversation with the Queen. Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she held a 'very good' conversation with the Queen.

SINN Féin deputy leader Michelle O'Neill has said she had a "very good" conversation with the Queen in a call about how the north was dealing with the health crisis.

First Minister Arlene Foster and the deputy first minister spoke to the British monarch in separate phone calls on Wednesday.

Ms O'Neill said she discussed the need to "focus on reconciliation" with the Queen.

Speaking to RTÉ News, Ms O'Neill said they discussed a range of matters including the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She also said they spoke briefly about the fact that we are approaching the centenary of the partition of the island.

Ms O'Neill said she spoke to the Queen about what Sinn Féin's approach will be, saying they wanted to "promote reconciliation" .

She also said that in the course of their telephone conversation she wished the monarch "well during these challenging times".

Arlene Foster said following her conversation was "entirely up to date with what is happening" in Northern Ireland "and in particular how we are dealing with Covid-19".