i think it's terrible that i they've been out so long, when they were getting - paid theirwages, and nurses, doctors, all other people, are living, very, very lowl wages and that. we've always valued devolved government. direct engagement with local politicians is important to us, so, you know, this is good news, but it's only the first step on a difficult path that faces us. a moment of huge significance in northern ireland — the return of stormont. the dup says it has a mandate from unionists to return the power—sharing institutions. we'll unpack what the deal entails. also tonight, the british foreign secretary says the uk is ready to bring forward the moment when it formally recognises a palestinian state. and we will talk to the wall streetjournal

about their reporter evan gershkovich, who has now been detained in russia for over 300 days. a very good evening. for the first time in nearly two years, it looks like northern ireland will have a devolved government and an assembly up and running by the end of next week. last night, there was a long meeting of the dup executive, the unionist party that collapsed power—sharing in february 2022 in protest at the post—brexit trading rules and checks which they said undermined northern ireland's place within the united kingdom. they now believe they have the assurances they need from westminster to return to government with the nationalists, sinn fein. our ireland correspondent sara girvin has this report. across northern ireland today, people woke up to news of a political breakthrough that's been nearly two years in the making. the lack of a functioning executive for so long has caused many issues for the lives of people here.

public sector workers were out on strike earlier this month over pay. unions hope that increases will now be a priority. our members have a sense of hope, but they're also apprehensive. teachers haven't had a pay increase for three years — they really have waited long enough. they have watched teachers' wages in other parts of the uk grow far ahead of teachers wages' in northern ireland. that's the day one priority. parents hope that financial help with childcare available in other parts of the uk will now be signed off. families here have been watching developments elsewhere in the uk. in england, we've seen record investment in childcare and the extension of the 30—hour scheme, and while imperfect, it's considerably more than families can access in northern ireland. the dup walked out of power—sharing in 2022, in protest at trading arrangements brought in after brexit. the party says those arrangements saw northern ireland treated differently from the rest of the uk. it's been negotiating

with westminster for measures to remove what it sees as economic barriers, but the dup leader now says enough progress has been made. i believe that what we have delivered is significant. and on the basis that the government continues to deliver, then we will be in a position to convene a meeting of the assembly and proceed with the restoration of the political institutions. the uk government will publish the details of the deal tomorrow and is expected to bring legislation by thursday. the secretary of state for northern ireland says he hopes to finalise the deal soon. i believe that all the conditions are now in place for the assembly to return, and i look forward very much to the restoration of the institutions at stormont as soon as possible. the assembly may be recalled as early as friday or saturday, but whenever the power—sharing institutions do return, they'll do so with a nationalist first minister in the shape of sinn fein�*s michelle o'neill.

it will be the first time in northern ireland's existence — more than a century — that the top job will be held by a leader who wants a united ireland. power—sharing is the only show in town, so i'm finally glad that we're getting to a juncture where, actually, that may be possible again. i believe in power—sharing, and i believe in life, you get much, much more done when you work together as opposed to working apart. after two years of uncertainty, frustration and division, it looks like the stormont stalemate will soon be at an end. but it's not done yet, and so people in northern ireland must do what they've done for nearly two years now — wait. sara girvin, bbc news. what we don't yet know, as sara explained, is how the dup's concerns have been reconciled. we'll find out tomorrow — when the deal is published. the condundrum since 2017 is that outside the eu, britain wants to do things its own way. the trouble is, the border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland has,

post—brexit, become an eu border, and like any other international border, brussels demands there are checks on goods that flow across it. republicans don't want any physical border between the north and the south. the unionists don't want any border between northern ireland and great britain, physical or imagined. we have spent years going round and round in circles trying to find a position that is mutually acceptable to all parties. the british government said the compromise was the windsor framework, which they signed with the eu this time last year. so what has changed? or has nothing really changed? maybe it is all an optical illusion, by which some people see a circle and others see a square? let's get more analysis with allison morris from the belfast telegraph. lovely to have you with us. so, there are opponents to what the dup agreed last night, who say not a word of the protocol is being altered, so why has the leadership�*s

position suddenly changed? yeah. altered, so why has the leadership's position suddenly changed? yeah, and interestingly. — position suddenly changed? yeah, and interestingly, some _ position suddenly changed? yeah, and interestingly, some of _ position suddenly changed? yeah, and interestingly, some of those _ interestingly, some of those opponents are actually members of the dup themselves. so, whatjeffrey donaldson says, and he gave a presentation to his party executive which is around 130 members, last night at a location just outside of lisburn. he is meant to have a claim to them that he has negotiated changes to the green lanes, goods that travel into northern ireland. there were some checks on those, because as you said we have a land border with du and they have to protect their single market and their customs union. he has now said he has found a way to negotiate any british government have agreed to remove all checks and i will be seamless trade. he claims he has done way with that. we will not know until we actually see the deal, when it is published tomorrow. and then the other concern of unionism was that the windsor framework and protocol also overrode what was the

acts of union, the lot that united northern ireland with england, scotland and wales. that could not be amended or restored in the way that members of this party would have liked, but there will be a statutory implement laid in parliament, probably tomorrow, which will give an assurance the northern ireland is a safe, constitutional place within the uk. that is something of a similar gesture, because remember the good friday agreement of 1998 says the northern ireland molar —— warming part of the uk until a majority of people stay otherwise. it was a ballot held in secret, we were just told it had passed a majority, and we do know that his party officers, a 12 person team, who have to sign off on that, he managed to get the maturity of them onboard, and that has been touch and go over the past few but there are still people like nigel dodds, he is

currently in the house of lords, people like samuelson, an mp in westminster, who spoke up during that party officers meeting to say they did not think this deal had gone far enough —— samuelson. people likejim alister, a former dup member, now a likejim alister, a former dup member, nowa member of likejim alister, a former dup member, now a member of the harley eunice group... that member, now a member of the harley eunice groun- - -— member, now a member of the harley eunice group- - -— eunice group... that is the point, that the party. — eunice group... that is the point, that the party, the _ eunice group... that is the point, that the party, the executive, - eunice group... that is the point, that the party, the executive, ofl that the party, the executive, of which there are 130, they saw a powerpoint presentation last night. it is the party officers that have seen a command paper, the details in it, so when it is published tomorrow, the question is going to be generally whetherjeffrey donaldson can take the party with him? he donaldson can take the party with him? , . ., him? he seemed quite confident. the news conference _ him? he seemed quite confident. the news conference was _ him? he seemed quite confident. the news conference was meant _ him? he seemed quite confident. the news conference was meant to - him? he seemed quite confident. the news conference was meant to take . news conference was meant to take place, last about an hour, there was a press conference planned for about 10:30 a:m., and unfortunately... it was a brewery of a strange place for the dup, the party of dr ian

paisley! that press conference did not take place until 1am, very, very late at night, so those reporters missed all the deadlines in terms of the front pages, but he seemed quite confident, unusually so, when he delivered that, and he also gave a speech last week in the comments where he seemed to have finally grown a backbone, to stand up to his detractors, and he called out those who have used the words like traitors and said, what have you produce? you've not done anything? i have managed to bring du back to the negotiating table. changes by the green lanes cannot be carried out by the uk government... i can green lanes cannot be carried out by the uk government. . ._ the uk government... i can already see the title — the uk government... i can already see the title for _ the uk government... i can already see the title for your _ the uk government... i can already see the title for your column. - the uk government... i can already see the title for your column. can l see the title for your column. can he organise in the brewery? maybe he can. stay there. with me in the studio

is anand menon, director of the uk in a changing europe. there are not many who know more about the protocol then he, so allison is saying the dup believe they have got assurances over the green lane, the leg which over the green lane, the leg which over the green lane, the leg which over the green lane, in the windsor framework, namely the goods that would stay in northern ireland, flow through it. if there are changes to lang was on the green lane, is that within the remit of the uk government or does the european union have to have some say in that? allison if the nail on the head, when — allison if the nail on the head, when you _ allison if the nail on the head, when you are changing the windsor framework, du have to agree —— the eu have _ framework, du have to agree —— the eu have to— framework, du have to agree —— the eu have to agree. if you're changing anything _ eu have to agree. if you're changing anything that change the substance of that _ anything that change the substance of that deal, it has to be agree with— of that deal, it has to be agree with du — of that deal, it has to be agree with du in _ of that deal, it has to be agree with du in advance. it is going to be with du in advance. it is going to he insuring — with du in advance. it is going to be insuring to see. i am strutting at the _ be insuring to see. i am strutting at the moment. there is a binary here, _ at the moment. there is a binary here, and — at the moment. there is a binary here, and the binaries either the deal_ here, and the binaries either the deal is _ here, and the binaries either the deal is consistent with the windsor frame _ deal is consistent with the windsor frame it— deal is consistent with the windsor frame it as — deal is consistent with the windsor frame it as written down or it is not _ frame it as written down or it is not it— frame it as written down or it is not if it— frame it as written down or it is not if it is, _ frame it as written down or it is not. if it is, it is hard to see what — not. if it is, it is hard to see what new— not. if it is, it is hard to see what new thingsjeffrey not. if it is, it is hard to see what new things jeffrey donaldson has to _ what new things jeffrey donaldson

has to sell to his party, because that framework has been there for over a _ that framework has been there for over a year~ — that framework has been there for over a year. if it is not, then the european — over a year. if it is not, then the european union are going to have something — european union are going to have something to say because we are unilaterally changing the bilateral treaty~ _ unilaterally changing the bilateral trea . , ., _ unilaterally changing the bilateral trea. ,., _ . unilaterally changing the bilateral trea. . ., unilaterally changing the bilateral trea. , . . treaty. obviously what matters to unionists as _ treaty. obviously what matters to unionists as they _ treaty. obviously what matters to unionists as they remain - treaty. obviously what matters to unionists as they remain a - treaty. obviously what matters to unionists as they remain a full, i unionists as they remain a full, integral part of the united kingdom and the internal market. it was introduced in september — does it achieve that? does it achieve that from unionists in northern ireland? more so than the pre—existing protocot _ more so than the pre—existing protocol. the windsor from it made it easier, _ protocol. the windsor from it made it easier, but not entirely. you have _ it easier, but not entirely. you have to — it easier, but not entirely. you have to accept it a slightly strange having _ have to accept it a slightly strange having a _ have to accept it a slightly strange having a customs and revelatory border _ having a customs and revelatory border within a sovereign state, which _ border within a sovereign state, which is — border within a sovereign state, which is the situation with ended up with, _ which is the situation with ended up with. and _ which is the situation with ended up with, and that as you said in your introduction _ with, and that as you said in your introduction was to avoid a border on the _ introduction was to avoid a border on the island of ireland. the green lane _ on the island of ireland. the green lane helps— on the island of ireland. the green lane helps and those people have trusted _ lane helps and those people have trusted trader status can go through there _ trusted trader status can go through there. best of defendant some paperwork, if your trade within northern— paperwork, if your trade within northern ireland, but you are largeiy— northern ireland, but you are largely exempt from checks. there will he _ largely exempt from checks. there will he the — largely exempt from checks. there will be the object is to make your people _ will be the object is to make your people are — will be the object is to make your people are not abusing the system, but for—

people are not abusing the system, but for those not part of that scheme, _ but for those not part of that scheme, there are still going to be checks _ scheme, there are still going to be checks. �* ., , scheme, there are still going to be checks. �* . , , ., . scheme, there are still going to be checks. �* . . , checks. but as you read recently in one of your — checks. but as you read recently in one of your papers. _ checks. but as you read recently in one of your papers, i _ checks. but as you read recently in one of your papers, i do _ checks. but as you read recently in one of your papers, i do read - checks. but as you read recently in | one of your papers, i do read them, there's been very little regulatory divergence thus far between du and great britain, so surely if and when that happens, there will be more evidence of a border? absolutely. should uk decide _ evidence of a border? absolutely. should uk decide to _ evidence of a border? absolutely. should uk decide to diverge - evidence of a border? absolutely. should uk decide to diverge in - evidence of a border? absolutely. should uk decide to diverge in its| should uk decide to diverge in its legal, _ should uk decide to diverge in its legal, regulations from the european union, _ legal, regulations from the european union, that— legal, regulations from the european union, that will make things much harden _ union, that will make things much harden you — union, that will make things much harder. you can imagine, there's been _ harder. you can imagine, there's heena— harder. you can imagine, there's been a lot— harder. you can imagine, there's been a lot of— harder. you can imagine, there's been a lot of talk about gene editing — been a lot of talk about gene editing and how we can go our own way when — editing and how we can go our own way when it— editing and how we can go our own way when it comes to gene in northern— way when it comes to gene in northern ireland, the eu will still apply. _ northern ireland, the eu will still apply. so— northern ireland, the eu will still apply, so it could well be the case if we _ apply, so it could well be the case if we decide to go our own way, that border— if we decide to go our own way, that border comes far more of an issue. but the _ border comes far more of an issue. but the point i am trying to get at is when this is published tomorrow, and the dup to its satisfaction saying they have a deal that goes some way to realising their concerns, does that then trap the rest of great britain into,

effectively, a customs union? because if you start to diverge, then presumably you start to lose then presumably you start to lose the unionists in northern ireland was blue it is not a customs union... i know it is —— but is a de facto? it union... i know it is -- but is a de facto? , ., �* facto? it is worth point we're discussing — facto? it is worth point we're discussing a _ facto? it is worth point we're discussing a deal— facto? it is worth point we're discussing a deal none - facto? it is worth point we're discussing a deal none of- facto? it is worth point we're discussing a deal none of us| facto? it is worth point we're - discussing a deal none of us have seen _ discussing a deal none of us have seen it— discussing a deal none of us have seen it is— discussing a deal none of us have seen. it is hard to know, but for the prime — seen. it is hard to know, but for the prime minister, if this include something — the prime minister, if this include something on divergence, a statement saying. _ something on divergence, a statement saying. we _ something on divergence, a statement saying, we won't diverge or we will consider— saying, we won't diverge or we will consider before diverging, the danger— consider before diverging, the danger is _ consider before diverging, the danger is it goes against his parliament party, kemi badenoch says the whole _ parliament party, kemi badenoch says the whole point of this is divergence. 0therwise what is the point _ divergence. 0therwise what is the point of— divergence. 0therwise what is the point of leaving, if we stick by their— point of leaving, if we stick by their laws? it is a big of a balancing act for the prime minister. balancing act for the prime minister-— balancing act for the prime minister. �* �* ., minister. allison, you're nodding over my shoulder. _ minister. allison, you're nodding over my shoulder. answer - minister. allison, you're nodding over my shoulder. answer two i minister. allison, you're nodding - over my shoulder. answer two things really quickly, because i am pressed for time — do the dup reckon is that

if the rest of the united kingdom starts to diverge away from eu rules, that actually they might be left high and dry in the years to come? , , ., . . , . come? they should have realised that when they supported _ come? they should have realised that when they supported brexit _ come? they should have realised that when they supported brexit back - when they supported brexit back in 2016, when they knew we had a border with the eu any problems this was going to cause in terms of their own constitutional situation, and we were always going to have to diverge. we are different. we have a land border with the eu and that needs to be protected in some way. we have not seen this deal. we have to assume that the eu have in some way agree to these changes to the green lane. the other part of it can be done by parliament on its own. that means very little. but until we see the substance of that, there are people on the outside, people like jim alister, he will go through this line by line and word by word... i can imagine! yeah. 0k, just before i let you go, just pick up on the historic nature of what is about to happen, would you? a nationalist

leader michelle o'neill taking over as first minister. for someone who grew up through the troubles, it seems beyond conceivable that we would one day get to this point, and yet here we are! it is would one day get to this point, and yet here we are!— yet here we are! it is probably not some that — yet here we are! it is probably not some that i _ yet here we are! it is probably not some that i ever _ yet here we are! it is probably not some that i ever thought - yet here we are! it is probably not some that i ever thought i - yet here we are! it is probably not some that i ever thought i would l yet here we are! it is probably not i some that i ever thought i would see in my lifetime, when the assembly was first initiated after 1998, 25 years ago, and 26 years this year, it was with a sdlp and alter unit is party leaving that. it is notjust a nationalist first minister, it is a republican first minister. michelle o'neill is a republican. she is advocated for a united ireland. we are onlyjust over 100 years old, northern ireland and more than 100 years old, and i say, look at a map and that border. it is drawn the way it is for a reason. it was to make this a unionist majority, and that is not the case. not only does

unions not have a majority, sinn fein now hold that post a first minister, so for republicans and will be a very symbolic day, for unionism i think that's a blizzard went up he lost on them, especially when they are already feeling a bit hurt by things that have happened in terms of how the british government after due them over brexit. the first u- after due them over brexit. the first up is _ after due them over brexit. the first up is getting back to stormont, the second step of course is to see how the unionists interact with the nationalists once it is restored —— have treated them over brexit. lovely to have your company. anand is going to stay in the studio, because we are going to speak to people on the ground in northern ireland after the break, about their enthusiasm to get stormont up and running, particularly as no decisions have been made over the past two years because of the cost of living crisis. we will get to that shortly. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the serial killer nurse lucy letby has lost the first stage of the process to appeal her convictions.

in august, she was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill another six at the countess of chester hospital in 2015 and 2016. she was sentenced to a whole life prison term. lucy letby applied to the court of appeal for permission for her case to be heard there. a man armed with a crossbow has been shot dead by police in south—east london. the met said the man, who was in his 30s, was trying to force his way into a building in the surrey quays area. the nhs app has been updated for users in england. the new features include a prescription tool with a digital bar code that can be used in pharmacies without the need for a paper prescription. nhs digital says the app will also show average local hospital waiting times for patients who require non—urgent treatment. that should be useful to all of us. you're live with bbc news. one of the key elements of the windsor framework was the creation of green and

red lanes that differentiate between goods whose end destination is northern ireland and those due for onward transport into the eu single market, over the irish border. that system has been in place since september. so if you go into a supermarket in northern ireland, you will see shelves in the province now stocked with meat products that have labels stamped with "not for eu". the port of larne on the east coast has set aside land for a new border facility, designed to support real—time sharing of trade data with brussels. so how is it this working for business in northern ireland? and what promise does the return of stormont hold for businesses in the north? john trainorjoins us, owner of the two stix and stones restaurants in belfast. thank you very much for being with us, john. as i say, it has been in place in september. has it made things easierfor your place in september. has it made things easier for your business? place in september. has it made things easierfor your business? ida. things easier for your business? no, it is made if — things easier for your business? no, it is made if few think were

difficult _ it is made if few think were difficult. cross have increased —— it has— difficult. cross have increased —— it has made _ difficult. cross have increased —— it has made a few things more difficult — it has made a few things more difficult. we are hospitality business. it is faced with increased costs— business. it is faced with increased costs and _ business. it is faced with increased costs and labour costs. today is a good _ costs and labour costs. today is a good day — costs and labour costs. today is a good day for us. we've had some good new5, _ good day for us. we've had some good news, but _ good day for us. we've had some good news, but a _ good day for us. we've had some good news, but a few before christmas, without _ news, but a few before christmas, without we — news, but a few before christmas, without we had a deal, we were optimistic— without we had a deal, we were optimistic but that did not happen, but we _ optimistic but that did not happen, but we were told the dup is bring back the — but we were told the dup is bring back the government. over the last two years. — back the government. over the last two years, without any leadership politically, for people like me on the ground, we want an economist or we can— the ground, we want an economist or we can talk— the ground, we want an economist or we can talk to, some of the store that we _ we can talk to, some of the store that we cannot and asked to speak about _ that we cannot and asked to speak about -- — that we cannot and asked to speak about. —— economy minister. there is nobody— about. —— economy minister. there is nobody helping us with tourism. nobody— nobody helping us with tourism. nobody helping us ofjob retention. we look— nobody helping us ofjob retention. we look at — nobody helping us ofjob retention. we look at our colleagues in the south _ we look at our colleagues in the south of— we look at our colleagues in the south of ireland enviously, you're

still in _ south of ireland enviously, you're still in the — south of ireland enviously, you're still in the eu, given government support, — still in the eu, given government support, down 20% in the north. we have to _ support, down 20% in the north. we have to talk— support, down 20% in the north. we have to talk about the critical issues — have to talk about the critical issues. some unity issues... gk, have to talk about the critical issues. some unity issues... ok, so it is not the — issues. some unity issues... ok, so it is not the greatest _ issues. some unity issues... ok, so it is not the greatest line, _ issues. some unity issues... ok, so it is not the greatest line, but - it is not the greatest line, but just let me persevere for one more question. i understand what you are saying. foryou, it is question. i understand what you are saying. for you, it is more about the political uncertainty, that we have had over the last two years, probably more than the economic uncertainty that has come with brexit? ii uncertainty that has come with brexit? , ., . brexit? if you were a businessperson, - brexit? if you were a l businessperson, would brexit? if you were a - businessperson, would you... brexit? if you were a _ businessperson, would you... the oint is, businessperson, would you... the point is. the _ businessperson, would you... the point is. the us — businessperson, would you... iie: point is, the us government businessperson, would you... tie: point is, the us government and uk government are lining up to invest once stormont is back, so there must be huge enthusiasm for that? there is, be huge enthusiasm for that? there is. certainly. _ be huge enthusiasm for that? there is, certainly, there _ be huge enthusiasm for that? there is, certainly, there are _ be huge enthusiasm for that? there is, certainly, there are people - is, certainly, there are people excited — is, certainly, there are people excited about that, and we are waiting — excited about that, and we are waiting with baited breath, but they still have _ waiting with baited breath, but they

still have not decided and signed on the dotted line, and people here have _ the dotted line, and people here have been let down so much by politics — have been let down so much by politics and they want real change, and today— politics and they want real change, and today is a good day, don't get me wrong. — and today is a good day, don't get me wrong, today is a good day, but we want _ me wrong, today is a good day, but we want to— me wrong, today is a good day, but we want to see politicians getting back to _ we want to see politicians getting back to work. if you did not go to work for— back to work. if you did not go to work for two years, would you have a job? the _ work for two years, would you have a job? the republic sector workers now entitled _ job? the republic sector workers now entitled to _ job? the republic sector workers now entitled to their pay increases, the money— entitled to their pay increases, the money is _ entitled to their pay increases, the money is there, and politicians have not got _ money is there, and politicians have not got organised to deliver that money — not got organised to deliver that money if— not got organised to deliver that money. if those people don't spend to come _ money. if those people don't spend to come to — money. if those people don't spend to come to my restaurant, i cannot keep— to come to my restaurant, i cannot keep it — to come to my restaurant, i cannot keep it open. — to come to my restaurant, i cannot keep it open. there been people in business _ keep it open. there been people in business for 35 years now out of business, so it is a difficult and stressful— business, so it is a difficult and stressful working environment. but there _ stressful working environment. but there is— stressful working environment. but there is hope. stressful working environment. but there is hope-— there is hope. john, good to talk to ou. there is hope. john, good to talk to you- thank — there is hope. john, good to talk to you- thank you _ there is hope. john, good to talk to you. thank you very _ there is hope. john, good to talk to you. thank you very much - there is hope. john, good to talk to you. thank you very much for - there is hope. john, good to talk to l you. thank you very much forjoining us. asjohn says, with no stormont, there are lots of people waiting for hospital points.

hospital waiting lists have soared. partly because — without stormont — health care budgets couldn't be secured. jill robbjoins us. she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of december and has struggled with delayed appointments and surgery since. thank you very much for coming on the programme. before i ask you about stormont, how are you? i am fine, about stormont, how are you? i am fine. thank — about stormont, how are you? i am fine, thank you. _ about stormont, how are you? i am fine, thank you. i _ about stormont, how are you? i am fine, thank you. i had _ about stormont, how are you? i am fine, thank you. i had surgery on thursday— fine, thank you. i had surgery on thursday of— fine, thank you. i had surgery on thursday of last week, and it has gone _ thursday of last week, and it has gone pretty well. but thursday of last week, and it has gone pretty well-— thursday of last week, and it has gone pretty well. but you must be immensely _ gone pretty well. but you must be immensely frustrated _ gone pretty well. but you must be immensely frustrated that, - gone pretty well. but you must be immensely frustrated that, i - gone pretty well. but you must be i immensely frustrated that, i guess, the dup, and it is the dup, have had this issue for well over two years now and seemingly, since february last year, when the windsor framework was signed, have been dragging their heels to a point today where we don't actually know whether they have achieved something materially. could they have done this much quicker? i materially. could they have done this much quicker?— materially. could they have done this much quicker? i think that most definitel , this much quicker? i think that most definitely, there _ this much quicker? i think that most definitely, there would _ this much quicker? i think that most definitely, there would have - this much quicker? i think that most definitely, there would have and - definitely, there would have and should _ definitely, there would have and should have been a different approach here was ultimately, i guess— approach here was ultimately, i guess not— approach here was ultimately, i guess notjust on behalf of approach here was ultimately, i guess not just on behalf of myself, but also _

guess not just on behalf of myself, but also on — guess not just on behalf of myself, but also on the lot of the tireless workers — but also on the lot of the tireless workers in — but also on the lot of the tireless workers in the health service, i am sure _ workers in the health service, i am sure im _ workers in the health service, i am sure i'm speaking for them that we feel a _ sure i'm speaking for them that we feel a bit— sure i'm speaking for them that we feel a bit like political ponds in the lovullo this. we are being used as initiating — the lovullo this. we are being used as initiating ram ray —— political pawns _ as initiating ram ray —— political pawns in — as initiating ram ray —— political pawns in the middle of this. there could _ pawns in the middle of this. there could have — pawns in the middle of this. there could have been a much easier way to -et could have been a much easier way to get there _ could have been a much easier way to get there i_ could have been a much easier way to get there. i don't know but i really don't _ get there. i don't know but i really don't believe this approach to government here is the right way to id government here is the right way to go about— government here is the right way to go about it — government here is the right way to to about it. �* ., , ., government here is the right way to go about it— go about it. billions of pounds that is waitin: go about it. billions of pounds that is waiting to _ go about it. billions of pounds that is waiting to be _ go about it. billions of pounds that is waiting to be invested _ go about it. billions of pounds that is waiting to be invested in - is waiting to be invested in northern ireland, should stormont be backin northern ireland, should stormont be back in play by next week. what will that do to health care services northern ireland? i that do to health care services northern ireland?— northern ireland? i have seen first-hand, — northern ireland? i have seen first-hand, i— northern ireland? i have seen first-hand, i have _ northern ireland? i have seen first-hand, i have family - northern ireland? i have seen i first-hand, i have family working northern ireland? i have seen - first-hand, i have family working in first—hand, i have family working in the nhs. _ first—hand, i have family working in the nhs, and i hearthe first—hand, i have family working in the nhs, and i hear the frustrations from them. — the nhs, and i hear the frustrations from them, because we have doctors, consultants. _ from them, because we have doctors, consultants, nurses, medicaltrain consultants, nurses, medical train staff who —

consultants, nurses, medicaltrain staff who genuinely, heartfelt ly care about the service and the care that they— care about the service and the care that they provide to people that are coming _ that they provide to people that are coming to— that they provide to people that are coming to the hospital, but because of a lack— coming to the hospital, but because of a lack of— coming to the hospital, but because of a lack of investments, a lack of pay for— of a lack of investments, a lack of pay for them, and lack of cover in terms of— pay for them, and lack of cover in terms of attracting new consultants, particularly — terms of attracting new consultants, particularly into the outlier hospitals in northern ireland, has been _ hospitals in northern ireland, has been very. — hospitals in northern ireland, has been very, very difficult for them to provide — been very, very difficult for them to provide the level of care they want _ to provide the level of care they want to— to provide the level of care they want to provide. once we can get that up— want to provide. once we can get that up and — want to provide. once we can get that up and running again, and once we can— that up and running again, and once we can start— that up and running again, and once we can start to get that investment, we can start to get that investment, we should _ we can start to get that investment, we should hopefully start to attract more _ we should hopefully start to attract more people back into that. i am hearing _ more people back into that. i am hearing that we are losing nurses, gualified _ hearing that we are losing nurses, qualified nurses, because the pay in northern— qualified nurses, because the pay in northern ireland is actually better if you _ northern ireland is actually better if you go— northern ireland is actually better if you go and work in supermarkets. that is— if you go and work in supermarkets. that is every— if you go and work in supermarkets. that is every ridiculous position to be in. _ that is every ridiculous position to be in. not — that is every ridiculous position to be in, not only for the that is every ridiculous position to be in, not only forthe nhs that is every ridiculous position to be in, not only for the nhs workers, the doctors — be in, not only for the nhs workers, the doctors and consultants themselves, but also for those people — themselves, but also for those people who are having to go into the hospital— people who are having to go into the hospital and get that level of care, when _ hospital and get that level of care, when actually... it is frustrating for nurses— when actually... it is frustrating for nurses and it can be frustrated for nurses and it can be frustrated for the _ for nurses and it can be frustrated for the patients, who are waiting

and trying — for the patients, who are waiting and trying to be that level of care from _ and trying to be that level of care from just— and trying to be that level of care from just a — and trying to be that level of care from just a short—staffed workforce, and a _ from just a short—staffed workforce, and a very— from just a short—staffed workforce, and a very under pressure workforce. jill robb. _ and a very under pressure workforce. jill robb. it _ and a very under pressure workforce. jill robb. it is — and a very under pressure workforce. jill robb, it is really good to talk to you. we are wishing you the best with your carrier treatment over the next few weeks and months. thank you very much for coming on the programme. we willjust take a bite to our viewers around the world —— say goodbye. for our uk viewers, back shortly. anand menon any studio, picked up what you have heard from some real people, who are waiting in line hospitals, who have businesses in northern ireland. what do you pick out which of the first thing is there layers and layers this, and there layers and layers this, and the first is the human layer. the im act of the first is the human layer. the impact of the — the first is the human layer. the impact of the lack _ the first is the human layer. tie: impact of the lack of government the first is the human layer. ti9: impact of the lack of government has had on public services northern ireland, people having to live without pay rises in a cost of zinc crisis, underfunding, it has real practical impacts and then beyond that, there is the question of the

protocol. yourfirst that, there is the question of the protocol. your first guess was talking by the impact on his business, and there is an awful trade—off, isn't there? there is additional paperwork and costs, somebody has to pay for those labels, it is additional cost on businesses and that is passed on to someone, but at the same time he was very clear — what businesses really want is certainty and stability, and they can cope with new costs and new procedures, theyjust need to know if they are going to be there for the foreseeable future. hopefully now they have arrived at a time when there is a degree of certainty and we have a government back and this is the situation that they concert working within. i is the situation that they concert working within.— is the situation that they concert workin: within. :, :, , , working within. i heard one guy this mornin: working within. i heard one guy this morning on — working within. i heard one guy this morning on bbc— working within. i heard one guy this morning on bbc northern _ working within. i heard one guy this morning on bbc northern ireland, | morning on bbc northern ireland, saying if you bought a car and you worked 20% of the time, you'd get... you can understand it the frustrations ly power—sharing, because they have not been up and running for two years, but the same time, if it is up and running next week, they will be a nationalist first minister in charge and i guess

it is the best hope for northern ireland. it brings the two sides together in a democratic way and for all its imperfections, and yes, the problems that had been with the dup, this is the best option? it is indeed. need _ this is the best option? it is indeed. need a _ this is the best option? it is indeed. need a stable, functioning government of whatever hue. to stretch government of whatever hue. stretch the government of whatever hue. trr stretch the car analogy. when you don't have a government, civil service in ireland can keep the engine ticking over, but they cannot drive it or steer it sub and that is for politicians, and without a government you cannot do that. in principle there is an opportunity for northern ireland because northern ireland under the protocol has a unique situation of access to both the gb in european union markets, so in that sense at least there is the potential for northern ireland to attract inward investment. i ireland to attract inward investment.— ireland to attract inward investment. :, :, investment. i come back to that oint i investment. i come back to that point i made — investment. i come back to that point i made earlier, _ investment. i come back to that point i made earlier, though, i investment. i come back to that. point i made earlier, though, about how restrictive the windsor framework is for the uk government. you have got michelle o'neill today

talking about a united ireland, we are closer than ever, it is within touching distance, she said this morning, and i wonder what happens next time there is a crisis over trade within the uk single market such that maybe the dup walk away or there is a problem within the power—sharing institutions. is that when brexit really threatens the good friday agreement?- good friday agreement? brexit threatens the _ good friday agreement? brexit threatens the internal - good friday agreement? brexit threatens the internal market l good friday agreement? brexit i threatens the internal market and hence the unity of the state when you end up with massive divergence between great britain and northern ireland, and that is a matter of political choice. up to this point, what we have seen is a lot of talk about divergence but very, very little in the way of practical measures, and we don't know whether that will continue or not. that is the question of political choice. if we vote in a government that would diverge, they can, so that will have implications for stub even brexit freedoms are tied to something constraining, which is the need to thing about the northern ireland border when you are think and about

diverging from the eu rules. thank ou for diverging from the eu rules. thank you for steering — diverging from the eu rules. thank you for steering us _ diverging from the eu rules. thank you for steering us through. - diverging from the eu rules. thank you for steering us through. did i diverging from the eu rules. thank you for steering us through. did you really cancel a dinner?— really cancel a dinner? frankly, i was cancelled _ really cancel a dinner? frankly, i was cancelled on, _ really cancel a dinner? frankly, i was cancelled on, but _ really cancel a dinner? frankly, i was cancelled on, but i - really cancel a dinner? frankly, i was cancelled on, but i did - really cancel a dinner? frankly, i was cancelled on, but i did not i really cancel a dinner? frankly, i. was cancelled on, but i did not like to say! was cancelled on, but i did not like to sa ! : . to say! laughter in to say! laughter in that _ to say! laughter in that case, - to say! laughter in that case, we l to say! laughter | in that case, we will to say! laughter - in that case, we will take it! to say! laughter _ in that case, we will take it! anand menon, thank you very much. you are watching bbc news. hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. new verification work from the bbc suggests more than half of the buildings in gaza have now been damaged or destroyed. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. hello there — lots of

football to update you on, with five premier league matches under way, we're at half time at the city ground — where it's goalless between nottingham forest and arsenal. the gunners hoping to return to second with a win. in the other matches in the first half, fulham v everton 0—0luton v brighton 3—0crystal palace — hosting sheffield united, 2-2. and aston villa, also with hopes of going second behind liverpool, 0—0 against newcastle. a boost for manchester city tomorrow — they have erling haaland fit to return against strugging burnley. the norwegian, who's scored 19 in 22 matches in all competitions, has been out with a foot injury since early december. manager pep guardiola was speaking today about their team news, aswell as the news of his rival jurgen klopp's departure at liverpool at the end of the season. he re—affirmed he's happy right where he is. i have everything that a manager to dream. i have everything. i have the support and be change a lot of

players in seven years but all of