are going to talk about reform of our public services, we need consistency of government to deliver stop so we have to address that issue. when do you expect the assembly to be sitting? i see no reason why we cannot do it tomorrow and there nothing to stop the secretary of state tabling the measures in the next 48 hours and the assembly coming back in parallel with that. i have never believed we needed to wait for this deal in order to restore the institutions, and i don't believe we need to wait longer to do that. we stand ready to be in the chamber at the first opportunity, and as always, we will take the opportunity to get the institutions restored, but there nothing even from a dup perspective to stand in the way of that. that nothing even from a dup perspective to stand in the way of that.— to stand in the way of that. that is naomi long. _ to stand in the way of that. that is naomi long, the _ to stand in the way of that. that is naomi long, the leader _ to stand in the way of that. that is naomi long, the leader of- to stand in the way of that. that is naomi long, the leader of the - naomi long, the leader of the alliance party giving her reaction to the news that power—sharing in

the northern ireland devolved assembly is set to return after the dup, the biggest unionist party, backed a british government deal aimed at addressing concerns over post—brexit trade barriers and sovereignty, so she is reacting in stormont. let's keep listening. where we were two or three weeks ago on the previous briefing, of course it could unravel but it won't be down to the text and it won't be down to the text and it won't be down to the detail. if it unravels, it will be down to a lack of political will. the people who unravel it will have to take full responsibility for the consequences, because we have also been briefed on the legislation sitting ready to go which will change how government is donein which will change how government is done in northern ireland in terms of the secretary of state and his role and the end and i don't think anyone standing here would want to see that in fermented. we want to see the institutions up and running and we want to get on with ourjobs. inaudible question.

look, i'm not going to do a running commentary. there is undoubtedly an opportunity to significantly reduce the number of checks there will have to be as we crossed the irish sea and there will never be no checks because they never were no checks even before brexit. people talk about an irish sea border but there's always been a final sanitary check and there have always been checks so the idea this will be reduced to zero is setting the bar in a ridiculous place. i think there's been a significant reduction but i think we had that in the windsor framework anyway, in their was a significant reduction in the number of checks and i think that has been slimmed down further and i think that is welcome but at the end of the day i'm not going to do a running commentary on the deal, it's up running commentary on the deal, it's up to sir geoffrey to sell the deal to his party and i will let him do that and leave that for him to do but i'm very aware and very conscious on behalf of my colleagues

that we could have got to the same place many years ago and without any of the damage, and that is the bit i find difficult today. we will put that behind us and go and do our jobs as we are meant to do and do them in good faith with the other parties because we want to see this place work and we want a better future for the people outside who voted for us, whatever party they voted for us, whatever party they voted for, so it is what it is but i think to say there would be no checks in the irish sea would set the bar lower than pre—brexit terms and we need to be realistic and honest about that.— honest about that. have you overstated _ honest about that. have you overstated the _ honest about that. have you overstated the idea - honest about that. have you overstated the idea that - honest about that. have you - overstated the idea that northern ireland _ overstated the idea that northern ireland cannot _ overstated the idea that northern ireland cannot be _ overstated the idea that northern ireland cannot be dynamic- overstated the idea that northern ireland cannot be dynamic with. overstated the idea that northern| ireland cannot be dynamic with its laws? _ ireland cannot be dynamic with its laws? if— ireland cannot be dynamic with its laws? ., ., ., laws? if we want to remain within the sinale laws? if we want to remain within the single market _ laws? if we want to remain within the single market for _ laws? if we want to remain within the single market for goods, - laws? if we want to remain within the single market for goods, we | laws? if we want to remain within - the single market for goods, we have to align with the eu. that is a given. the issue is whether that will impact on our ability in northern ireland to also access goods from gb that don't have that

dynamic alignment and whether we would be able to send goods from northern ireland to gb that align with the eu. there is nothing in the deal and there was nothing in the windsor framework to prevent those two things happening already, so if thatis two things happening already, so if that is what he means by there being no barrier caused by the dynamic alignment, that is fine. well, you would need to ask him, because i can only speak to what i've seen. inaudible question. that only speak to what i've seen. inaudible question. ., , ., inaudible question. that is the plan b leuislation inaudible question. that is the plan b legislation and _ inaudible question. that is the plan b legislation and that _ inaudible question. that is the plan b legislation and that is _ inaudible question. that is the plan b legislation and that is what _ inaudible question. that is the plan b legislation and that is what cames i b legislation and that is what cames into effect if a guy get restoration, so there was legislation drafted to extend the exact information act to give the secretary of state more powers and to set a budget and be able to set the rates. i don't want to see the action, i want to see local elected representatives making those choices and decisions on behalf of the people that they are representing. as far as it goes with the actual deal legislation, there is nothing in it that causes concern and it's

not something that is difficult, because let's be honest, there isn't a party here that hasn't, at different stages gone to government and said, can this be eased or changed, are there ways it can be done differently? the difference between us and some of the others is we wanted it done by mutual agreement with the european union so it was legal, substantive and sustainable and others wanted the uk government to act in a unilateral way which would have triggered a trade war. i know i still stand by our position that when you sign a deal, you stick with it and negotiate the changes through the mechanisms you agreed and that is how you do international law and how you do business and frankly it's how you do business and frankly it's how you do business and frankly it's how you do life, if you want people to have any sense of respect for you and i think that matters, so from our perspective, anything in this deal doesn't cause us problems and anything that makes it easier for business or ordinary people i think is to be welcomed. it's not going to cause us any sleepless nights if people are able to trade more easily

and that's what we've been arguing for from the beginning and that's what we've been arguing forfrom the beginning which is and that's what we've been arguing for from the beginning which is why we opposed brexit in the first place. we opposed brexit in the first lace. . ., we opposed brexit in the first lace, ., ., ., we opposed brexit in the first lace. ., ., ., ., we opposed brexit in the first lace, ., ., ., ., ., place. naomi macro long -- long in the alliance — place. naomi macro long -- long in the alliance party — place. naomi macro long -- long in the alliance party responding - place. naomi macro long -- long in the alliance party responding to - the alliance party responding to questions from the press which sees power sharing return and says that they stand ready to be in the chamber at the earliest possible moment. she thinks they could have got to this point without a lot of the damage that has been done and said her partyjust want a better future for the people of northern ireland because, remember, government in northern ireland which is part of the uk has been suspended for almost two years now after the dup walked out in protest, so this is a significant moment, looking at power sharing returning in northern ireland's devolved assembly and all of the details are on the website as well and these press conferences we are taking pieces of we want bbc news are being streamed live on the bbc news website so do click on the button and press play if you would like to see them in full.

the israeli military says it has killed three palestinians in an undercover operation at the ibn sina hospital injenin in the occupied west bank. reports say israeli forces disguised as medical staff and palestinian women killed members of an armed cell hiding inside. the israeli military sources said the men were planning an imminent attack, identifying one of them as mohammed jalamneh. he'd reportedly been receiving treatment following a drone strike. the palestinian authority confirmed that three people were killed at the hospital by israeli forces. hamas denies israeli assertions that it uses hospitals to hide its fighters. cctv footage shows israel is going into the hospital, disguised as

palestinians, some in women's clothes and some dressed as medics and they shot dead three people who they called hamas terrorists inside they called hamas terrorists inside the hospital and hamas has claimed one of them as their own and islamic jihad, a spin off of hamas has identified two others of the as members of the organisation and one says israel was planning an attack similar to the 7th of october attack, and to others, it's incredibly windy now, summer two others were responsible for a previous attack. this is a sign of just how the violence in the west bank has continued to spiral since the gaza conflict began, and the violence in the west bank is really the worst it has been since the second palestinian intifada or uprising two decades ago, and that is a real concern that gaza's conflict has spilled into the wider region and actually in order to try to calm what is happening in gaza there is an urgent need to calm what

is happening in the west bank where violence byjewish settlers and violence byjewish settlers and violence byjewish settlers and violence by armed palestinian groups on the settlers has reached a level that has not been seen in many years. that has not been seen in many ears. ,, ., ,., , that has not been seen in many ears. ,, ., , ., years. the us media reports that the drone that killed _ years. the us media reports that the drone that killed three _ years. the us media reports that the drone that killed three american - drone that killed three american troops injordan seems to have been made in iran. live now to barbara slavin, a distinguished fellow at the stimson center in washington and a lecturer in international affairs at george washington university. washington, the white house, considering its response now to the attack and we keep hearing about this menu of options they have under pressure is growing on president biden by some republicans to have quite a firm military response, so what do you think is the best course now for president biden and the

white house?— now for president biden and the white house? ~ , ., �* white house? well, you've referred to the tragic — white house? well, you've referred to the tragic death _ white house? well, you've referred to the tragic death of _ white house? well, you've referred to the tragic death of three - to the tragic death of three americans that were hit by an uranium —— irani and drone. the best courses to bring down the level of fighting in gaza and i would add the west bank in light of recent developments and we have to go to source of the tensions which have grown enormously between the united states and these various iran backed group around the middle east. fin group around the middle east. on that, does it feel like the links are being downplayed by some? anthony blinking trying to separate what is happening in gaza with the situation in iran? the administration - situation in iran? the administration are i situation in iran? the i administration are trying situation in iran? tue: administration are trying to separate them but they're not separable. all of this violence became supercharged after the israeli retaliation for the attacks.

and it became so massive and we've seen over 26,000 people killed in gaza since october the 7th, and even if you assume that nine or 10,000 were hamas fighters, it's still an extraordinary civilian death toll in the destruction has been immense. all of the various groups around the middle east that are trying to show their solidarity with the palestinians, what do they do? they look for vulnerable targets and we have small american contingent in syria, iraq, jordan which are unfortunately very vulnerable to these drone strikes and in this case it appears the drone could have been shot down but was mistaken for an american drone that was returning to base so it got through and hit an american barracks and killed the american barracks and killed the american reservists from jordan. 50. american reservists from jordan. so, barbara, american reservists from jordan. so, barbara, what are the best options? we keep hearing the response from

washington has to be proportionate and it cannot escalate things ideally, but also because of political pressure, there has to be some kind of effective deterrent and thatis some kind of effective deterrent and that is quite difficult for any response to be all of those things. it's very difficult and let me hit out the us has retaliated for previous strikes. it killed the leader of one of these groups in baghdad earlier injanuary, so there's all this talk about assassinations and attacking iranian oil facilities and lord assassinations and attacking iranian oilfacilities and lord knows assassinations and attacking iranian oil facilities and lord knows what is, but the best course is to de—escalate the tensions by ending the tensions in gaza and there are talks that have been mediated by qatar to get a long ceasefire that would allow hostages to be released, palestinian prisoners to be released and urgently needed humanitarian aid to go into gaza. that is the best course. what will the us doing, and

these militia backed iraqi groups in syria are deemed responsible for the drone strike that killed these three americans. �* . ., .., drone strike that killed these three americans. ., ., americans. barbara, can i ask you about the talk _ americans. barbara, can i ask you about the talk she _ americans. barbara, can i ask you about the talk she referred - americans. barbara, can i ask you about the talk she referred to i about the talk she referred to taking place in paris at the moment? 0ver taking place in paris at the moment? over the past few days there have been various comments from delegates at the talks that are cautiously optimistic of some kind of deal being struck. how can that optimism exist though when benjamin netanyahu who has coalition partners, right—wing coalition partners in government, that will refuse to back any kind of ceasefire.— any kind of ceasefire. well, the decision will _ any kind of ceasefire. well, the decision will be _ any kind of ceasefire. well, the decision will be made _ any kind of ceasefire. well, the decision will be made by - any kind of ceasefire. well, the decision will be made by the i decision will be made by the security cabinet which excludes some of these right—wing lunatics in benjamin netanyahu's cabinet, and the deal talked about would be at least for six weeks and would allow the release of remaining women and children in hamas custody as well as

some palestinian prisoners. but i thinkjudging from the comments i am hearing from the qataris, these talks are well advanced, and i hope, and this is one of the considerations for the biden administration, that any retaliation for what happened to the american troops would not get in the way of securing this long—term ceasefire. this is, i think, the main priority and i really do hope that the biden administration is redoubling its efforts to get a ceasefire. barbara, alwa s efforts to get a ceasefire. barbara, always good _ efforts to get a ceasefire. barbara, always good to _ efforts to get a ceasefire. barbara, always good to have _ efforts to get a ceasefire. barbara, always good to have you _ efforts to get a ceasefire. barbara, always good to have you with i efforts to get a ceasefire. barbara, always good to have you with us. l always good to have you with us. thanks forjoining us from washington. let's go back to storm onto as we continue to bring you reaction to power—sharing in northern ireland's devolved assembly looking set to return after a deal has been done with the dup. this is doug bt speaking to us at the moment, the party leader of the ulster unionist party responding to

questions from the media but let's listen in. tt questions from the media but let's listen in. ., ., questions from the media but let's listen in. ~ ., listen in. if it looks like a carve u . listen in. if it looks like a carve no between — listen in. if it looks like a carve up between the _ listen in. if it looks like a carve up between the two _ listen in. if it looks like a carve up between the two biggest i listen in. if it looks like a carve i up between the two biggest parties and we will still be the fragile executive, there may that's not the place for us but that will happen over the next couple of days. tt it over the next couple of days. if it takes too long — over the next couple of days. if it takes too long it could unravel, and you don't— takes too long it could unravel, and you don't want to leave it many days and it _ you don't want to leave it many days and it might — you don't want to leave it many days and it might have the potential unraveh — and it might have the potential unravel. it and it might have the potential unravel. . , ,., ., and it might have the potential unravel. . , ., ., unravel. it has huge potential to unravel. it has huge potential to unravel and _ unravel. it has huge potential to unravel and there _ unravel. it has huge potential to unravel and there are _ unravel. it has huge potential to unravel and there are people i unravel. it has huge potential to i unravel and there are people who've done this_ unravel and there are people who've done this many— unravel and there are people who've done this many times _ unravel and there are people who've done this many times and _ unravel and there are people who've done this many times and i've - unravel and there are people who've done this many times and i've donel done this many times and i've done it many— done this many times and i've done it many times — done this many times and i've done it many times and _ done this many times and i've done it many times and the _ done this many times and i've done it many times and the reality- done this many times and i've done it many times and the reality is, i done this many times and i've done it many times and the reality is, if. it many times and the reality is, if leave _ it many times and the reality is, if leave over— it many times and the reality is, if leave over the _ it many times and the reality is, if leave over the weekend. - it many times and the reality is, if leave over the weekend. then i it many times and the reality is, if leave over the weekend.— it many times and the reality is, if leave over the weekend. then it will be destroyed _ leave over the weekend. then it will be destroyed by _ leave over the weekend. then it will be destroyed by monday, _ leave over the weekend. then it will be destroyed by monday, so - leave over the weekend. then it will be destroyed by monday, so we i leave over the weekend. then it will i be destroyed by monday, so we really need to move quickly. that be destroyed by monday, so we really need to move quickly.— need to move quickly. that doesn't su: est it need to move quickly. that doesn't suggest it is _ need to move quickly. that doesn't suggest it is very — need to move quickly. that doesn't suggest it is very robust? - need to move quickly. that doesn't suggest it is very robust? you i need to move quickly. that doesn't suggest it is very robust? you are i suggest it is very robust? you are askin: suggest it is very robust? you are asking me — suggest it is very robust? you are asking me for— suggest it is very robust? you are asking me for my _ suggest it is very robust? you are asking me for my interpretation l suggest it is very robust? you are| asking me for my interpretation of my interpretation of what happens in northern ireland and my interpretation of it and what happens in northern ireland is simple that if you don't move quickly, people say the mice get at it and that is true at northern ireland and i would suggest i would

suggest the first minister and deputy first minister nominated on friday and saturday and on the first sitting day of an assembly should be monday of next week. i think we need to move quickly and i think that is going to be the case. thank you, everybody. that was the party leader of the ulster unionist party, and a reminderfor you that ulster unionist party, and a reminder for you that this is closely being followed this story on the bbc news website and all of these comments and press conferences are being streamed live for you as well. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.- the uk, this is bbc news. every mornin: the uk, this is bbc news. every morning i— the uk, this is bbc news. every morning i walked _ the uk, this is bbc news. every morning i walked down - the uk, this is bbc news. every morning i walked down here i the uk, this is bbc news. every morning i walked down here to | the uk, this is bbc news. ea morning i walked down here to record the rainfall at about nine o'clock. since he was ten years old, tom in

anglesey has made the same journey to the bottom of his garden every day without fail. taste to the bottom of his garden every day without fail.— to the bottom of his garden every day without fail. we take the final out which collects _ day without fail. we take the final out which collects the _ day without fail. we take the final out which collects the rainfall, i day without fail. we take the final| out which collects the rainfall, and there is a bottle underneath which collect the water. it is then put into a calibrated gauge, and that is more or less one millimetre. the rainfall measurements tom takes are passed onto natural resources wales. it helps us with forecasting, modelling and with water resources. the weather station he uses was built by his grandfather at the end of the 19th century. tom took over the responsibility of measuring the rainfall in 1948. how long do you think you will keep going? as rainfall in 1948. how long do you think you will keep going? as long as i can. think you will keep going? as long as i can- as _ think you will keep going? as long as i can. as long _ think you will keep going? as long as i can. as long as— think you will keep going? as long as i can. as long as i _ think you will keep going? as long as i can. as long as i can - think you will keep going? as long as i can. as long as i can walk, i as i can. as long as i can walk, hopefully. you're live with bbc news. some breaking news to bring you around the killing of three people

in nottingham that happened last june and really shocked people in the uk. the attorney general has just ordered an independent review of the decision made by prosecutors to accept valdo colocane' guilty pleas to manslaughter. he had had paranoid episodes before stabbing to young students who are only 90 and also a school caretaker, ian coates, aged 65 —— who were only 19. and earlier this week we saw valdo colacane given an indefinite hospital order after admitting manslaughter and the attorney general says the senseless deaths have horrified the country and has now ordered an independent review of the decision by prosecutors to accept his guilty pleas to

manslaughter. the democratic unionist party says it's agreed a deal to restore the devolved government in northern ireland. the agreement signals the end of the dup's boycott of the stormont assembly, which has left northern ireland without a locally elected parliament for almost two years. the party's leader, sirjeffrey donaldson, said the proposals are subject to the westminster government passing laws to address concerns about post—brexit trading arrangements. stormont uses a system of government known as power—sharing. this has allowed nationalist and unionist political parties to share power together for the first time in a government. meghan owen explains. for us to better understand this latest development, i want to row back to 1998. now, after decades of violent conflict in northern ireland , a political deal was made. now that deal was called the good friday agreement. it was to strengthen relationships between communities and also to form a new government

in northern ireland. now, this government represents the unionists and the nationalists, and westminster gave it the power to control things such as health and education. and this is known as devolution. i want to take a closer look at the northern ireland assembly. we know it as stormont, because this is where it's based in east belfast. you've got a first minister, a deputy first minister, one is unionist and one is nationalist. and then you've got 90 multi—party cabinet members. these are made of unionists and nationalists and other members who are not aligned. now, once this was created, power sharing began. but this hasn't been plain sailing. there's been a number of suspensions of the northern ireland assembly over the years, including in 2002 to 2007 when northern ireland was run by london known as direct rule. in 2017 and 2020, there were fractious relationships between the democratic unionist party and sinn fein.

and in 2022, stormont collapsed when the dup protested at post—brexit trading agreements, saying it undermined the position of northern ireland in the uk. but now it looks like powersharing could be back. and that's because the dup party leader, sirjeffrey donaldson, has announced that the dup has backed a deal with westminster aimed at addressing its concerns over post—brexit trade. so legislation will now need to be passed, the assembly will need to be recalled and a new speaker will need to be elected. it's been two years since stormont has been stalled, but it could now be back within a matter of days. for more on this, i'm joined by tony blair's former chief of staff, jonathan powell, who played a crucial role in the negotiations that lead to the good friday agreement.

you are obviously watching events closely at westminster and stormont where we will be bringing our viewers reaction from there, but while we listen to the politicians in stormont, let's take a moment to think about the people of northern ireland who often say their patience has run out with politicians in the last few years. what will the deal mean to them? t last few years. what will the deal mean to them?— last few years. what will the deal mean to them? i think it's a really very important _ mean to them? i think it's a really very important day _ mean to them? i think it's a really very important day and _ mean to them? i think it's a really very important day and gives i mean to them? i think it's a really very important day and gives a i mean to them? i think it's a really| very important day and gives a real opportunity for northern ireland to move forward. it has this huge opportunity as being a single market in the eu and the united kingdom, and all the things are there for the economy to take off and try and resolve some of terrible problems in the absence of government and public sector strikes, so but the damage done by borisjohnson to or three years ago is finally being remedied, and the misleading information he gave about what would happen under brexit has now been resolved and i think the government and politicians and particular sirjeffrey donaldson deserve credit for what they have done. ~ ., deserve credit for what they have

done. ~ . , ., deserve credit for what they have done. ~ . ,, ~' deserve credit for what they have done. ~ ., i. ~ ., ., , done. what you think of the details of this deal? _ done. what you think of the details of this deal? we _ done. what you think of the details of this deal? we haven't _ done. what you think of the details of this deal? we haven't heard i done. what you think of the details. of this deal? we haven't heard them yet because the parties are still being briefed, but what would have had to have been there and changed for the dup to agree? tt’s for the dup to agree? it's interesting _ for the dup to agree? it's interesting that _ for the dup to agree? tt�*s interesting that sirjeffrey donaldson said he made compromises but this is the best deal and i think it's crucially important and it reminds me of 2006 when ian paisley took the dup into st andrews agreement and implement the good friday agreement which, if you remember had been on hiatus when the dup took over as the biggest party in northern ireland, so it's a real chance to get stable government from northern ireland in place. we don't know the details of the deal and it looks as though it doesn't involve a renegotiation of the windsor framework because nothing has been said about that, and i assume the british has taken the eu along with what has been done but some of the changes are significant and there will be no checks coming into northern ireland that could remain in northern ireland and that could

be good news in northern ireland and will meet the concerns unionist sad. what you make of that view that the dup were facing a situation where they had to show that stormont and power—sharing work till they were looking at a united ireland? tt’s looking at a united ireland? it's taken a looking at a united ireland? tt�*s taken a while to come to the decision so they've come to it in a very systematic and patient way. and they've achieved the things they wanted to achieve. 50 they've achieved the things they wanted to achieve.— they've achieved the things they wanted to achieve. so sorry, i have to interruot — wanted to achieve. so sorry, i have to interrupt because _ wanted to achieve. so sorry, i have to interrupt because we _ wanted to achieve. so sorry, i have to interrupt because we have i wanted to achieve. so sorry, i have to interrupt because we have sinnl to interrupt because we have sinn fein reacting at stormont. taste to interrupt because we have sinn fein reacting at stormont.- fein reacting at stormont. we are conscious that _ fein reacting at stormont. we are conscious that there _ fein reacting at stormont. we are conscious that there is _ fein reacting at stormont. we are conscious that there is a - fein reacting at stormont. we are conscious that there is a huge i conscious that there is a huge amount— conscious that there is a huge amount of— conscious that there is a huge amount of work to be done and that society— amount of work to be done and that society thinks it has been a long time _ society thinks it has been a long time coming but we are pleased we are at— time coming but we are pleased we are at this — time coming but we are pleased we are at thisjuncture. we are conscious— are at thisjuncture. we are conscious there is a huge amount of work_ conscious there is a huge amount of work to— conscious there is a huge amount of work to he _ conscious there is a huge amount of work to be done, that society has really _ work to be done, that society has really suffered from the absence of government of the last two years. we are almost— government of the last two years. we are almost two years away from the

last assembly election and i very much _ last assembly election and i very much welcome the fact that the dup have now— much welcome the fact that the dup have now moved to explicitly move and recognise the outcome of the assembly— and recognise the outcome of the assembly election and we look forward — assembly election and we look forward now to getting things cutting — forward now to getting things cutting the job done, getting ministers in place and having ministers _ ministers in place and having ministers return to the chambers and michelle _ ministers return to the chambers and michelle o'neill taking a position as first— michelle o'neill taking a position as first minister, and that will be as first minister, and that will be a moment— as first minister, and that will be a moment of great significance, not simply— a moment of great significance, not simply because we have and have government for so long but because it will— government for so long but because it will he _ government for so long but because it will be the first time we will have — it will be the first time we will have a — it will be the first time we will have a sinn fein first minister, a nationalist — have a sinn fein first minister, a nationalist first minister, so mark, i nationalist first minister, so mark, i suppose — nationalist first minister, so mark, i suppose of change that has occurred _ i suppose of change that has occurred in northern ireland and across— occurred in northern ireland and across ireland, so we are here to do the business — across ireland, so we are here to do the business and we will be meeting other— the business and we will be meeting other parties in the course of this afternoon — other parties in the course of this afternoon and it's now a case of agreeing —

afternoon and it's now a case of agreeing sequences of this and i have _ agreeing sequences of this and i have no— agreeing sequences of this and i have no doubt because i came up from duhlin— have no doubt because i came up from dublin earlier that there's been a great _ dublin earlier that there's been a great sigh — dublin earlier that there's been a great sigh of relief, but also a sense — great sigh of relief, but also a sense of— great sigh of relief, but also a sense of expectation. people gathering together for the common good, _ gathering together for the common good. we _ gathering together for the common good, we put our shoulder to the wheel— good, we put our shoulder to the wheel to— good, we put our shoulder to the wheel to get the best job done we possibly— wheel to get the best job done we possibly can for every single person living _ possibly can for every single person living here — possibly can for every single person living here in the north, and of course — living here in the north, and of course lry— living here in the north, and of course by extension, this is a great story— course by extension, this is a great story for— course by extension, this is a great story for all— course by extension, this is a great story for all of ireland. this is an important — story for all of ireland. this is an important part of the governance structure — important part of the governance structure on our island, and it is a very— structure on our island, and it is a very welcome moment that we are hearing _ very welcome moment that we are hearing i— very welcome moment that we are hearing. i am conscious we have stood _ hearing. i am conscious we have stood in — hearing. i am conscious we have stood in front of you so many times before. _ stood in front of you so many times before, lamenting that we are still in limbo— before, lamenting that we are still in limbo and i want to commend my colleagues — in limbo and i want to commend my colleagues and all of those in particular who were elected many for the last— particular who were elected many for the last election and those who have been incredibly patience and

demonstrated great forbearance and for the _ demonstrated great forbearance and for the public for whom this is not being _ for the public for whom this is not being conscious of public sector workers — being conscious of public sector workers who wait in anticipation for government to make decisions that result— government to make decisions that result for— government to make decisions that result for them their outstanding pay issues. do result for them their outstanding pay issues-— pay issues. do you believe sir jeffrey donaldson _ pay issues. do you believe sir jeffrey donaldson has - pay issues. do you believe sirl jeffrey donaldson has achieved pay issues. do you believe sir i jeffrey donaldson has achieved a jeffrey donaldson has achieved a better deal? jeffrey donaldson has achieved a better deal?— jeffrey donaldson has achieved a better deal? ~ ., ., ~ �* ., , better deal? well, look, brexit was alwa s better deal? well, look, brexit was always going _ better deal? well, look, brexit was always going to _ better deal? well, look, brexit was always going to be _ better deal? well, look, brexit was always going to be difficult - better deal? well, look, brexit was always going to be difficult and i always going to be difficult and massively disruptive, and not to go over old _ massively disruptive, and not to go over old ground, we never supported brexit _ over old ground, we never supported brexit we _ over old ground, we never supported brexit. we were always realistic it was going — brexit. we were always realistic it was going to cause a level of disruption and the job now is for all of— disruption and the job now is for all of us — disruption and the job now is for all of us for— disruption and the job now is for all of us for business supporters north— all of us for business supporters north to — all of us for business supporters north to south, east to west and seeking — north to south, east to west and seeking further international markets, and of course it's good news _ markets, and of course it's good news for — markets, and of course it's good news for business everywhere that the executive would be up and running — the executive would be up and running and you have a ministry of the economy running and all of the

other— the economy running and all of the other government departments, so restoration — other government departments, so restoration is good for business, of that there — restoration is good for business, of that there is no doubt.— that there is no doubt. inaudible question. i really hope, if that was me sounding _ i really hope, if that was me sounding negative from what i said, i sounding negative from what i said, i don't _ sounding negative from what i said, i don't really know what i have to say to _ i don't really know what i have to say to sound positive. we are incredibly— say to sound positive. we are incredibly positive as we meet today, — incredibly positive as we meet today, but we're also realistic. there — today, but we're also realistic. there is — today, but we're also realistic. there is financial package on the table _ there is financial package on the table it— there is financial package on the table it is— there is financial package on the table. it is what is on offer from the british— table. it is what is on offer from the british government but there should _ the british government but there should be no doubt that it's not enough — should be no doubt that it's not enough in — should be no doubt that it's not enough in the medium term to fund this place. — enough in the medium term to fund this place, just so we are clear,

there _ this place, just so we are clear, there is— this place, just so we are clear, there is still a big financial problem in terms of running public services _ problem in terms of running public services here, and i don't want to rain on _ services here, and i don't want to rain on anybody's parade, today of all days, _ rain on anybody's parade, today of all days, but there has to be a realism — all days, but there has to be a realism here. there is a financial problem. — realism here. there is a financial problem, and we've said consistently that the _ problem, and we've said consistently that the best way for us to confront tory austerity and the underfunding of the _ tory austerity and the underfunding of the north is to do it from a position— of the north is to do it from a position of— of the north is to do it from a position of collective strength from a functioning executive, so this is going _ a functioning executive, so this is going to — a functioning executive, so this is going to be — a functioning executive, so this is going to be a big item for everybody going _ going to be a big item for everybody going into _ going to be a big item for everybody going into government to make sure that in— going into government to make sure that in a _ going into government to make sure that in a united way, that number ten and _ that in a united way, that number ten and ii — that in a united way, that number ten and 11 downing st are very clear that this _ ten and 11 downing st are very clear that this place cannot be short—changed, and that will be a collective — short—changed, and that will be a collective piece of work, and then on the _ collective piece of work, and then on the issue of business, we need to work— on the issue of business, we need to work on _ on the issue of business, we need to work on that — on the issue of business, we need to work on that. of course it's better there _ work on that. of course it's better there is— work on that. of course it's better there is governance, and it's been a nightmare _ there is governance, and it's been a nightmare for business, the fact there _ nightmare for business, the fact there has— nightmare for business, the fact there has been a functioning executive. i think business organisations have been clear. the

first minister in waiting? ido i do think it is a day of optimism. 0ur public services are stretched, public sector workers have been forced onto the picket lines. i want to be in position because i want to make a difference and i want to stand up and fight back against this tory agenda that has hurt our public services so much over the last 13 plus years since they have been in power. so we have a lot of hard work ahead of us but collectively we can do better for the people that we serve. collectively, we can fight back against this tory austerity agenda and we can stand up and fight for our public services. that is what we are in the business of doing, improving peoples lives and that's what i want to do is first minister. and to work with the other parties. the next number of days are going to be crucial to get us to the actual real—life point of a big owing to that chamber and i am made deputy first minister, and let's get down to business.