Micheal Martin, Ireland's Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, stated that inter-party talks to form a new coalition government following the November 29 Irish general election should progress "in a timely manner" due to "pressing international issues." Speaking at a press conference with Hilary Benn, Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary, after the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin, Martin highlighted the upcoming inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in January. "The people will want us to move within a reasonable timeframe," he said, though he did not specify a deadline for government formation. Martin's centre-right Fianna Fáil party emerged with the largest vote share and seat count in the new parliament, with the 64-year-old poised to become the next Taoiseach, succeeding Simon Harris. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES