Britain is set to formally announce snap elections in Northern Ireland after the nation's devolved government collapsed.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, of the republican Sinn Fein party, stepped down last week in protest at Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) First Minister Arlene Foster's handling of a scandal arising from a botched renewable energy scheme.
Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, which established the current system of government in Northern Ireland and brought an end to decades of sectarian conflict, both a First Minister and Deputy First Minister must always be in place, or elections are called.
Speaking in the Northern Irish Assembly at Stormont on Monday, Sinn Fein member Michelle O'Neill confirmed the party would not be putting anyone up to replace McGuinness.
The move means that the U.K.'s Northern Ireland Minister James Brokenshire will have to announce a snap poll.
"The DUP have treated these institutions…with contempt and arrogance," O'Neill said, "Today Sinn Féin will not re-nominate for the position of deputy First Minister."
She said that Foster's earlier failure to step aside over her handling of the Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) scheme showed "a total disregard for the the concerns and outrage of the public."
The scheme, which Foster launched as an energy minister in 2012, offered money to businesses in return for using certain heating materials. But there was no cap on the payments and the scheme is set to run over budget.
"Sinn Féin will not tolerate financial scandal, incompetence, or waste of public money," O'Neill said, "If we are to return to this chamber then there must be real change. There must be respect and equality for all sections of our people."
A spokesperson for the DUP said before 5 p.m., while the party was waiting for the official deadline, "all parties are on an election footing."
In a statement after McGuinness's resignation last week, Foster had said that his decision would only add to the instability in Northern Ireland in the wake of Brexit.
But, she said, "This is not an election of our making, but the DUP will always defend unionism and stand up for what is best for Northern Ireland."
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