Legislation to restore devolution in Northern Ireland if an agreement is reached will be fast-tracked through Parliament by May in spite of the coming snap election.

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire said the UK election, to be held on Thursday 8 June, will not affect the ongoing Stormont talks.

In the coming days, Mr Brokenshire will introduce legislation to Westminster which will allow for a new Northern Ireland Executive to be formed if Northern Ireland’s political parties reach agreement in the current round of talks.

Mr Brokenshire 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.”

Ireland’s Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan added: “The Secretary of State told me that his intention, announced last week, remains unchanged – namely, to bring forward legislation at Westminster in the coming days which will include a provision to allow a Northern Ireland Executive to be formed in early May.

“While this will legislatively facilitate the formation of an Executive, I am conscious of the political reality that all of the parties involved in the talks will now be competing in a General Election and mind-sets will inevitably shift to campaign mode.

“Nevertheless, it is the firm hope of the Irish Government that the talks’ process can continue and conclude successfully in the coming days. The interests of the people of Northern Ireland are best served by having a devolved Executive and Assembly. This is the case regardless of the electoral cycle at Westminster.

“That will be my message in my contacts with the party leaders in Northern Ireland in the coming days and when I travel to Belfast for further discussions on Thursday.”