article: James Brokenshire also said he will fast-track laws through parliament by early May if a deal can be reached. Theresa May announced a plan to call an election for 8 June. Leaders of the DUP and Sinn Féin welcomed the decision. The announcement came during a pause in talks to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland. Stormont's parties have yet to reach agreement on forming an executive six weeks after the assembly election. Mr Brokenshire had warned that there will either be direct rule from Westminster or another election if there is no agreement reached by early May. Speaking after the plan for a general election was announced, he said: "Discussions between the parties and the UK and Irish governments will continue in accordance with the three-stranded approach. "The prospect of a forthcoming UK general election does not change this approach. "In addition, I believe it is also right to introduce provisions that would enable an executive to be formed in early May should agreement be reached. "To have this legislation in force in time, I will be requesting that its progress through parliament be fast-tracked." He said he also intended to introduce legislation addressing immediate issues such as setting a regional taxation rate to allow rates bills to be introduced by councils. Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said he told Mr Brokenshire he was "concerned" about the effect the election would have on the talks process. We're looking at yet another election during the worst political crisis Northern Ireland has faced in the last 10 years. In the last Assembly election in March, there was a significant shift in the landscape. Sinn Féin came within a whisker of becoming the largest party at Stormont. That result, and the ongoing debate around Brexit, has led to more talk about the possibility of a united Ireland. That means this general election will be about, more than ever before, unionism versus nationalism - orange versus green. The prospect of another divisive election is unlikely to encourage the parties to compromise during the political talks. Mr Flanagan said that while legislation could facilitate an executive being formed, he was "conscious of the political reality that all of the parties involved in the talks will now be competing in a general election". "Nevertheless, it is the firm hope of the Irish government that the talks process can continue and conclude successfully in the coming days." DUP leader Arlene Foster said the election was an "opportunity to vote for the union" while the party's deputy leader Nigel Dodds said the announcement was a "surprise". He said the election would have a big impact on the talks: "The next six or seven weeks are going to be dominated entirely by the issues in the general election. "I think that's inevitable - once a prime minister fires the starting gun then everything else becomes subservient to it." Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams tweeted that it was another chance to vote against Brexit and the party's northern leader Michelle O'Neill said the election would be "an opportunity for voters to
summary: The Northern Ireland secretary has said there will be no change in Stormont's talks process despite the announcement of a snap general election.