Rishi Sunak arrives in Northern Ireland ahead of meeting with new leaders

PM hails 'special opportunity'; for Northern Ireland as he began a visit to mark the return of a power-sharing government. Photo: UNPIXS

Rishi Sunak visits Northern Ireland and meets the new leaders of its power-sharing executive after Stormont reopened after almost two years.

On a historic day on Saturday, Michelle O'Neill, vice-president of Sinn Féin, was sworn in as Northern Ireland's first nationalist First Minister, a move some say brings the prospect of a united Ireland a step closer.

The impasse ended after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) abandoned its opposition to power-sharing after months of negotiations with the UK government.

The deal handed Northern Ireland an extra £3.3 billion, as well as new legal guarantees to limit checks on goods moving from there to and from the UK.

Mr Sunak is to be welcomed to Stormont Castle in Monday Ms O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly of the DUP, the new Deputy First Minister.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks to a crew member during a visit to Northern Ireland Air Ambulance headquarters in Lisburn. Photo: CARRIE DAVENPORT Rishi Sunak and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris arrived to meet local business leaders in Lisburn on Sunday. Photo: WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Prime Minister arrived in Northern Ireland on Sunday as the meetings were scheduled. with public figures such as rescue workers.

This is Mr Sunak's seventh trip to Northern Ireland since he became prime minister in October 2022, including one visit during which he met Joe Biden, the US president.

In a message supporting the reopening of Stormont, Mr Biden said: “I welcome and strongly support the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly at Stormont, and I commend Northern Ireland's political leaders for doing so.” We are taking the necessary steps to restore these essential institutions.”

Over the weekend, Ms O'Neill spoke of similar priorities with Ms Little-Pendelly despite their policy differences, noting in recent speeches areas where policies «overlap».

Mr. Ms. O'Neal said: “Especially with regard to issues like child care, this is one of the biggest challenges families are facing right now, and affordable child care is an option for them.

Michelle O'Neill was sworn in as First Minister at Stormont on Saturday. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

“I think this leader wants to get something done together.

“This, along with many other things, we know there is a big It's a to-do list, but we're ready to get started and I think that's the most important thing.

“I'm determined to do the best we can. This place has been underfunded for public services for over a decade because of the Tories in London, we can do better.”

Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, meanwhile, said she didn't want to do that. «considering» the possibility of holding a poll on a united Ireland.

Ms Keegan told Sky News: “What's really fantastic is to see Stormont up and running again. It's been a long time and I know a lot of people have been preparing for this day.

“This is where things that affect Northern Ireland will be discussed. Therefore, it is right that they are here, and it is right that the ministers are here now and can make important decisions.”