.MichealMartinTD urges the next UK prime minister to have a 'substantive engagement' with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol
By Darran MarshallTaoiseach Micheál Martin has wished the UK government "well in the challenging times ahead".
He has far surpassed the 100 backers needed to validate his candidacy before the 14:00 BST deadline for nominations.Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the new prime minister will face a challenge of ensuring Northern Ireland "does not remain endlessly in limbo" without government.Ms McDonald refused to be drawn on who the new prime minister might be, but said whoever ends up in Number 10 needs to quickly demonstrate a willingness to get Stormont restored.
The protocol - the post-Brexit trade arrangement for Northern Ireland - has been a source of tension since it came into force at the start of 2021.Talks between the UK and the EU have resumed in an attempt to resolve the issue but there is no sign of an imminent deal.