this is bbc news 7 these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. an historic moment for nationalists in northern ireland, as sinn fein is on course to become the largest party at stormont. i'm in belfast where counting has resumed this morning — and we'll be bringing you all the latest news and reaction. across the rest of the uk the conservatives have lost almost 500 seats in the local elections, with labour and the liberal democrats taking control of a number of councils. the snp remain the largest party in scottish councils — with labour overtaking the conservatives to finish second. labour was the biggest winner in wales, where the conservatives lost more than 80 seats.

more attempts are being made to rescue civilians trapped at a steelworks in the beseiged ukrainian city of mariupol. 50 people were taken out of the city yesterday. chelsea get their new owners — terms have been agreed, with the consortium led by american todd bowly. good morning and welcome to bbc news. sinn fein is on track to win the most seats in the northern ireland assembly for the first time ever — signalling a historic shift in the political landscape. let's cross live to belfast and get all the latest thank you very muchjoanna. yes, good morning. day two of the counting in northern ireland here in

belfast under two centres and after a really long day yesterday the energy is back in building this morning. i'mjust energy is back in building this morning. i'm just trying to listen as i talk to you and i'm not sure if this is a declaration or if one of the returning officers is telling us about the latest stage in the counting because of course this is a type of proportional representational election, not first past the post, and there are lots and lots of stages which is why, part of the reason anyway why. .. applause this count is taking so long. let's listen in for a second if we can. ladies and gentlemen that concludes the count_ ladies and gentlemen that concludes the count for the belfast south constituency. my thanks to the candidates and the staff are all the hard work — candidates and the staff are all the hard work. the formal announcement of the _ hard work. the formal announcement of the resutt— hard work. the formal announcement of the result apple will take place at this— of the result apple will take place at this stage at 11:15am. thank you

very much — at this stage at 11:15am. thank you very much -- _ at this stage at 11:15am. thank you very much. —— the formal announcement of the result of the poll. announcement of the result of the pott |t— announcement of the result of the oll. . , announcement of the result of the all, �* announcement of the result of the poll. it was belfast south which in the last 2017 _ poll. it was belfast south which in the last 2017 elections _ poll. it was belfast south which in the last 2017 elections was - the last 2017 elections was described as the rainbow constituency because it had representatives of all the five main parties have northern ireland and i'm just waiting to check whether that has shifted stoutly because alliance a cross community that he had been polling incredibly well in these elections and predicted to do incredibly well in these elections may have taken a second seat this time and i willjust check out for unicef and come back to you. —— i willjust check out this story unicef and come back to you. —— i will just check out this story and come back to you. people who don't put themselves in this traditional green and orange nationalist and unionist boxes, rise of the centre ground and one of the other big stories as sinn fein set to emerge as the biggest party out of these elections. they are the nationalist party who want to see a united ireland. we will be discussing the many talking points if i'm just a

moment but first let's assess where we have got two of the day one of the count with the ireland correspondent chris page. applause for the first time, a party which wants to take northern ireland out of the uk is expected to be its largest political force. sinn fein was a long way ahead of its rivals in the first stage of the count. the party's vice president, michelle o'neill, is the favourite to become first minister. she would be the first irish nationalist to take the position. obviously i feel very positive. i mean, we fought a very positive campaign. we told people about what we were for. we said this was an election about the future. it's going to be potentially a historic election for many reasons, but i think it's because people wanted us to talk about how we wanted to work together in partnership with others. that's the only way we'll achieve much, much more for people here. another big sign of change came with the success of the cross—community alliance party. it is neither unionist

nor nationalist. alliance is set to move up from fifth place to third. its leader believes that shows how northern ireland is moving on from its years of conflict. i think itjust reflects the changed place that northern ireland is. i mean, in 1998 when we had the good friday agreement, it was about trying to manage our divisions. but what i think the vote for alliance shows is that people have bigger aspirations than that. they want to move beyond division and focus on delivery. but there was disappointment for the democratic unionists, who won the last five assembly elections. the dup has come under pressure from a more hardline unionist party and is likely to lose its place at the top. i think that the divided nature of unionism in this election has meant that, whilst the overall unionist vote is strong, we're not winning extra seats because those votes are too widely spread, and i think there are lessons to be drawn from this for unionism. the final results won't be known for sure until this long and complex counting process is finished,

and the race for the final few seats in particular can be very tight indeed. no matter what the numbers are, it is unlikely a new devolved administration will be formed anytime soon. under the rules of power—sharing, unionists and nationalists have to agree to run northern ireland jointly. the dup has said it won't go into a coalition at stormont unless the brexit trade border with the rest of the uk is scrapped. it is far from clear whether the politicians who have been elected will ever get to govern. chris page, bbc news, belfast. just to tell you about that big cheer you heard a moment or two ago that was, as i thought, another win for the alliance party in the constituency of south belfast. they had one seat last time around in 2017. now they have too. that was kate nichol, the current mayor of

belfast it was selected at the expense of the green party candidate clare bailey so another win for that centre ground party at the alliance party. let's discuss this a little bit more and look at what the papers are making of this this morning. i'm joined now by freya mcclements, northern editor at the irish times. great to have you with us. let's start with your paper in your reaction to the election so far. in common with many of the pages here this morning the focus is about sinn fein leader mary lou mcdonald whose significance of sinn fein leader in the north election and that is because we are talking about a historic victory here and talking about a shift in leadership and government in northern ireland. sinn fein poised to be the tender is the largest party in northern ireland with the largest number of seats and this is the first time this has happened in the history of northern ireland in more than 100 years and this also means sinn fein will be entitled to take up the position of

first minister so this is our paper the irish times today. other newspapers here in belfast, the belfast telegraph again, that same similar image of michelle o'neill who is poised to be first minister of northern ireland. she is the party's leader in northern ireland. sinn fein tops first preference votes on a historic day for the party. do you people is to make big gains and that is another one of the key stories here in doug beattie lead with the ulster unionist party fighting for his seat and still locked in a huge battle in his upper bann constituency for his seat. the irish news, a nationalist newspaper here in northern ireland again sinn fein on course to be stormont�*s largest party, dp's worst result for the 20 plus years and a picture of the 20 plus years and a picture of the alliance leader naomi long. —— d u p. alliance edge of the bigger stories at the election. unionist

newspaper saying stormont stalemate. looking very serious considering his next steps and he is warning here and this takes us to the question of where we might go after the selection and culling last night for a meeting of all unionist leaders to discuss electoral fallout and warning his party will not go back into the executive until it is around the northern ireland protocol are resolved to their satisfaction and that was a big, big over whether or not they will be in assembly functioning count here after this is concluded. flit functioning count here after this is concluded. . ., , ,, ., , concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned — concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned once _ concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned once as _ concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned once as a _ concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned once as a united - concluded. of course sinn fein as i | mentioned once as a united ireland and i spoke to party leader mary lou mcdonald yesterday and he talked about for a friend and potentially within ten years and told me she personally thought maybe five years. your paper is dublin base. what do you think the reaction of the irish government is going to beat what is happening here in northern ireland?

the reaction of the irish government, the dublin government is that this is not something on the cards any time soon and we actually saw the sums sinn fein during the election campaign. sinn fein was stepping away from the question of any immediate border poll of referendum on irish unity and instead focusing on bread and butter issues, and getting the executive here back up and running. inevitably for that this victory will bring that prospect of the referendum closer. particularly if it's also predicted sinn fein gets into government and the republic as well in the next election but the reality remains that is in the gift of the secretary of state not sinn fein, not on the secretary of state not sinn fein, not any other party. it is up to the secretary of state to call a referendum on irish unity and thatis call a referendum on irish unity and that is only when he assesses that there might be a majority in favour of unity and you look at all the polls, all the polling data on this, we are a world away from that so

while it will inevitably increase the momentum towards that in some of the momentum towards that in some of the conversations taking place here around planning for that referendum thatis around planning for that referendum that is not going to be a referendum any time soon. that is not going to be a referendum any time soon-— that is not going to be a referendum any time soon. thank you very much, northern editor— any time soon. thank you very much, northern editor with _ any time soon. thank you very much, northern editor with the _ any time soon. thank you very much, northern editor with the irish - northern editor with the irish times. i think we have another result that we can show you if we can just put it up result that we can show you if we canjust put it up on result that we can show you if we can just put it up on the screen. this is belfast south and this is the constituency we were telling you about just a the constituency we were telling you aboutjust a moment ago and kate nicholl for the alliance party taking a second seat for the party at the expense of the greens candidate clare bailey. so you have a alliance party, you have sinn fein, you have sdlp and the bp making up the five seats in that constituency so for the alliance thatis constituency so for the alliance that is continuing their trend of really building both on their vote share —— sdlp and uup. for the alliance that is continuing their trend of building on their vote share a number of seats one.

we can speak now to emma little—pengelly, a former mp and mla for the democratic unionist party. thanks forjoining us on bbc news and we appreciate your time today. just give us an overview of what do you be sitting?— you be sitting? they have had a disappointing — you be sitting? they have had a disappointing election - you be sitting? they have had a disappointing election were - you be sitting? they have had a disappointing election were not| you be sitting? they have had a i disappointing election were not as bad as some had predicted. before the election dup had been on 28 seats and there had been a leadership issue within the dup and they had lost one of those seats in north down and he's stood as an election and got elected so there were 27 seats from the 28 they ran last time. in this election it looks likely they will lose at least two seats, possibly three. the interesting thing is that is not a huge movement of seats but on the union aside there has been a factoring effect dup vote towards

the more high blank tuv, the traditional unionist voice he so there has always been a direct loss of those votes from the dpp to the tv. -- of those votes from the dpp to the tv. —— towards the more hardline party tuv. that has cost the dup the handful of seats that could make the critical difference. they are likely to stay on the same number of seats they had before if anything may be gain one or two. these are very very small margins and large designations of nationalists and unionists are pretty much the same as they were in 1998. this isn't a dramatic cyst between unionism towards irish nationalism of republicanism and what we're seeing is a consolidation between these big blocks of unionism, nationalism and then the centre ground between —— dramatic shift., isn't a dramatic shift. in the unionist side towards strong support from the same. we heard

-a support from the same. we heard party leader— support from the same. we heard party leader sir— support from the same. we heard party leader sirjeffrey _ support from the same. we heard party leader sirjeffrey donaldson | party leader sirjeffrey donaldson repeat this yesterday another party clicks of your saying we're not going to go back the power—sharing executive unless our concerns over the northern ireland protocol is sorted out but, as you alluded to, one of the big stories of the selection is the vice of the centre ground and how well the alliance party is doing. isn't that a mandate for something different for politics to really function well here and do you think thatjeffrey donaldson and party colleagues in the dup will have to take account of that? i think our structures do need to take better account of the centre ground. in northern ireland politics this is referred to actually in legislation is the group called the other but it is the group called the other but it is important to note here when you look back to 1998 when the belfast good friday agreement was signed the unionist block had about 39.6% of the vote. and lastly spark had about 39.9% of the vote. —— the nationalist bloc had about 39.9%.

now the nationalist bloc has 40% of the vote. there hasn't been any actual dramatic change of that. but we're actually seeing in the centre is a consolidation of this range of parties towards one party and that is the alliance party. so for example the green party northern ireland held two seats and they have been wiped out essentially by the alliance party. likewise, the big parties of the piece process, the sdlp and ulster unionist party is both very centralist parties have had a very bad election. significant numbers of votes shifting towards the alliance party and consolidating the alliance party and consolidating the centre ground. there haven't been any dramatic shift between these two big blocks but we are seeing the emergence of two big parties on the national centre ground side and factoring due to the protocol in the main on the unionist side and that really is destabilising the peace process because at both the dup and tv got a quarter of a million votes, the same

number of votes sinn fein got in the selection. they went to the electorate with the policy they would not be the turning stormont unless the protocol was resolved and there was movement by the vertical. so this is very significant. let there was movement by the vertical. so this is very significant.— so this is very significant. let me ick u- so this is very significant. let me pick up on _ so this is very significant. let me pick up on that — so this is very significant. let me pick up on that point. _ so this is very significant. let me pick up on that point. if- so this is very significant. let me pick up on that point. if there - so this is very significant. let me pick up on that point. if there is i pick up on that point. if there is no immediate return to stormont which looks unlikely because that is a so—called safety net. stormont could talk for another six months about this with potential be on that for another election. about this with potential be on that foranother election. if about this with potential be on that for another election. if it reach that point, would you be disappointed? would you be thinking of yourself that the dup and indeed other parties have let down their voters? because when i talked to a range of voters in antrim on tuesday from all sorts of backgrounds including a couple of women who say they are working class protestant unionist supporters, their prime concern was getting politicians back working together to deal with things like the cost—of—living crisis,

health care and so on. bud like the cost-of-living crisis, health care and so on. and certainly the dup have _ health care and so on. and certainly the dup have made _ health care and so on. and certainly the dup have made very _ health care and so on. and certainly the dup have made very difficult - the dup have made very difficult compromises in the past to get the northern ireland assembly open going but we need to remember here that the dup and the tv very clearly said going into the selection that they would not be returning to power—sharing in the northern ireland assembly unless the protocol was a result. that was very clear to people who voted for them. they have got a mandate for that book power—sharing in northern ireland will only work if we can all come together to resolve these issues. we accept absolutely that the protocol may not be a big issue for the alliance party sinn fein but it is a big issue for unionism and if there is a big issue for one part of the community here then that can be, as we have seen, it can be destabilising but, of course, we have to remember as well that over the last five years northern ireland assembly has unfortunately only sat for two years because it was sinn fein that kept that down for two years. they haven't been punished at the polls and in fact they have come back very, very strong showing

despite keeping themselves out of stormont that the majority of the last parliamentary term and there are serious concerns here. movement numbers and movement on seats is very very small. sinn fein like likely to maybe gain one and deeply likely to maybe gain one and deeply likely to maybe gain one and deeply likely to lose two or three. a small movement has led to sinn fein being eligible for the first minister position. in the view of the dup and unionists they will try to use that to disproportionately spin that this is a movement and momentum towards irish unity. it is not, the figures are still very stable but of course the big thing for northern ireland at the moment is the protocol issue. mixed messages coming from london and the secretary of state with quite an unfortunate intervention just the night before the election saying that perhaps this legislation wouldn't be brought forward but the reality is one thing power—sharing is not going to return here. itir. is not going to return here. nr, thank you _ is not going to return here. nr, thank you very _ is not going to return here. nr, thank you very much _ is not going to return here. nr, thank you very much forjoining us today and it was interesting here ——

nr. interesting to hearfrom today and it was interesting here —— nr. interesting to hear from the conservative party chairman of the down saying that... lets just go to the declaration actually, i think it is a declaration rather than use the lace front of voting. —— news of the latest round of voting. lace front of voting. -- news of the latest round of voting.— latest round of voting. nichol, kate, alliance _ latest round of voting. nichol, kate, alliance party. - latest round of voting. nichol, kate, alliance party. thank. latest round of voting. nichol, | kate, alliance party. thank you latest round of voting. nichol, - kate, alliance party. thank you very much _ kate, alliance party. thank you very much. . ~ ,., kate, alliance party. thank you very much. . ~' ,. ~ kate, alliance party. thank you very much. . ~ ~ , , kate, alliance party. thank you very much. . ~ , , much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i thank— much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i thank you _ much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i thank you and _ much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i thank you and your- much. thank you mr presiding officer and can i thank you and your team i and can i thank you and your team foryour— and can i thank you and your team for your hard — and can i thank you and your team for your hard work. _ and can i thank you and your team for your hard work. i _ and can i thank you and your team for your hard work. i know- and can i thank you and your team for your hard work. i know that - for your hard work. i know that people — for your hard work. i know that people sometimes— for your hard work. i know that people sometimes complain i for your hard work. i know that people sometimes complain it| for your hard work. i know that i people sometimes complain it is for your hard work. i know that - people sometimes complain it is slow and it— people sometimes complain it is slow and it is_ people sometimes complain it is slow and it is a _ people sometimes complain it is slow and it is a slow— people sometimes complain it is slow and it is a slow process— people sometimes complain it is slow and it is a slow process and _ people sometimes complain it is slow and it is a slow process and we - people sometimes complain it is slow and it is a slow process and we have i and it is a slow process and we have to accept _ and it is a slow process and we have to accept that — and it is a slow process and we have to accept that that _ and it is a slow process and we have to accept that that is _ and it is a slow process and we have to accept that that is the _ and it is a slow process and we have to accept that that is the case - and it is a slow process and we have to accept that that is the case but i to accept that that is the case but it is done — to accept that that is the case but it is done professionally- to accept that that is the case but it is done professionally and - to accept that that is the case but it is done professionally and done property— it is done professionally and done property and _ it is done professionally and done property and for— it is done professionally and done properly and for all— it is done professionally and done properly and for all of— it is done professionally and done properly and for all of the - it is done professionally and done properly and for all of the team . it is done professionally and done . properly and for all of the team who have worked — properly and for all of the team who have worked so— properly and for all of the team who have worked so hard _ properly and for all of the team who have worked so hard from _ properly and for all of the team whoj have worked so hard from yesterday morning _ have worked so hard from yesterday morning tast — have worked so hard from yesterday morning last night _ have worked so hard from yesterday morning last night and _ have worked so hard from yesterday morning last night and back- have worked so hard from yesterday morning last night and back again i have worked so hard from yesterday morning last night and back again a | morning last night and back again a bil morning last night and back again a big thank— morning last night and back again a big thank you — morning last night and back again a big thank you to _ morning last night and back again a big thank you to every— morning last night and back again a big thank you to every member- morning last night and back again a big thank you to every member of. big thank you to every member of staff to _ big thank you to every member of staff to all— big thank you to every member of staff to all the _ big thank you to every member of staff to all the security— big thank you to every member of staff to all the security here - big thank you to every member of staff to all the security here and l staff to all the security here and

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the time to go to the polling stations— the time to go to the polling stations i_ the time to go to the polling stations i say— the time to go to the polling stations i say a _ the time to go to the polling stations i say a big - the time to go to the polling stations i say a big thank- the time to go to the polling i stations i say a big thank you. i

shouldn't— stations i say a big thank you. i shouldn't be _ stations i say a big thank you. i shouldn't be here _ stations i say a big thank you. i shouldn't be here today. - stations i say a big thank you. i shouldn't be here today. that. stations i say a big thank you. i- shouldn't be here today. that should be our _ shouldn't be here today. that should be our colleague _ shouldn't be here today. that should be our colleague and _ shouldn't be here today. that should be our colleague and today - shouldn't be here today. that should be our colleague and today my- be our colleague and today my election— be our colleague and today my election is— be our colleague and today my election is a _ be our colleague and today my election is a tribute _ be our colleague and today my election is a tribute to - be our colleague and today my election is a tribute to the - be our colleague and today myi election is a tribute to the work and the — election is a tribute to the work and the life _ election is a tribute to the work and the life and _ election is a tribute to the work and the life and the _ election is a tribute to the work and the life and the testimony. election is a tribute to the work i and the life and the testimony and faithfulness — and the life and the testimony and faithfulness of— and the life and the testimony and faithfulness of our— and the life and the testimony and faithfulness of our friend - and the life and the testimony and faithfulness of our friend and - and the life and the testimony and faithfulness of our friend and our i faithfulness of our friend and our colleague — faithfulness of our friend and our colleague christopher— faithfulness of our friend and our colleague christopher stopford. i this election has been a huge roller—coaster _ this election has been a huge roller—coaster for _ this election has been a huge roller—coaster for us. - this election has been a huge roller—coaster for us. an - this election has been a huge. roller—coaster for us. an ocean this election has been a huge - roller—coaster for us. an ocean race has been _ roller—coaster for us. an ocean race has been highly— roller—coaster for us. an ocean race has been highly charged _ roller—coaster for us. an ocean race has been highly charged and - roller—coaster for us. an ocean race has been highly charged and i- has been highly charged and i appreciate _ has been highly charged and i appreciate everybody's - has been highly charged and ii appreciate everybody's support has been highly charged and i- appreciate everybody's support in what we — appreciate everybody's support in what we have _ appreciate everybody's support in what we have achieved _ appreciate everybody's support in what we have achieved and - appreciate everybody's support in i what we have achieved and ensuring that christopher's _ what we have achieved and ensuring that christopher's legacy— what we have achieved and ensuring that christopher's legacy carries - that christopher's legacy carries on. that christopher's legacy carries on one — that christopher's legacy carries on one of— that christopher's legacy carries on one of the _ that christopher's legacy carries on. one of the things— that christopher's legacy carries on. one of the things that - that christopher's legacy carriesl on. one of the things that struck that christopher's legacy carries - on. one of the things that struck me is whenever— on. one of the things that struck me is whenever we _ on. one of the things that struck me is whenever we had _ on. one of the things that struck me is whenever we had time _ on. one of the things that struck me is whenever we had time in- on. one of the things that struck me is whenever we had time in the - is whenever we had time in the assembty— is whenever we had time in the assembly when _ is whenever we had time in the assembly when people - is whenever we had time in the assembly when people speak i is whenever we had time in the - assembly when people speak about christopher. — assembly when people speak about christopher. so— assembly when people speak about christopher, so many— assembly when people speak about christopher, so many people - assembly when people speak about christopher, so many people from i assembly when people speak about. christopher, so many people from so many— christopher, so many people from so many parties — christopher, so many people from so many parties were _ christopher, so many people from so many parties were very _ christopher, so many people from so many parties were very easy- christopher, so many people from so many parties were very easy to - christopher, so many people from so many parties were very easy to get . many parties were very easy to get up many parties were very easy to get up -- — many parties were very easy to get up -- eager— many parties were very easy to get up -- eagerto— many parties were very easy to get up -- eagerto get— many parties were very easy to get up -- eagerto get up— many parties were very easy to get up —— eager to get up and - many parties were very easy to get up —— eager to get up and give - many parties were very easy to geti up —— eager to get up and give their thoughts— up —— eager to get up and give their thoughts on— up —— eager to get up and give their

thoughts on christopher. _ up —— eager to get up and give their thoughts on christopher. i - up —— eager to get up and give their thoughts on christopher. ithink- thoughts on christopher. i think that is— thoughts on christopher. i think that is a — thoughts on christopher. i think that is a reat— thoughts on christopher. i think that is a real testimony - thoughts on christopher. i think that is a real testimony to - thoughts on christopher. i think that is a real testimony to the l thoughts on christopher. i think. that is a real testimony to the man that is a real testimony to the man that he _ that is a real testimony to the man that he was— that is a real testimony to the man that he was and _ that is a real testimony to the man that he was and i— that is a real testimony to the man that he was and i want— that is a real testimony to the man that he was and i want to - that is a real testimony to the man that he was and i want to ensure . that he was and i want to ensure that he was and i want to ensure that we — that he was and i want to ensure that we carry— that he was and i want to ensure that we carry on _ that he was and i want to ensure that we carry on with _ that he was and i want to ensure that we carry on with that - that we carry on with that tradition _ that we carry on with that tradition. i— that we carry on with that tradition. i work- that we carry on with that tradition. i work with - that we carry on with that tradition. i work with all. that we carry on with that . tradition. i work with all the colleagues _ tradition. i work with all the colleagues electing - tradition. i work with all the colleagues electing a - tradition. i work with all the - colleagues electing a constituency across _ colleagues electing a constituency across south — colleagues electing a constituency across south belfast _ colleagues electing a constituency across south belfast and - colleagues electing a constituency across south belfast and the - across south belfast and the community— across south belfast and the community and _ across south belfast and the community and the - across south belfast and the community and the council. across south belfast and the - community and the council teams and never— community and the council teams and never whoever — community and the council teams and never whoever else _ community and the council teams and never whoever else to _ community and the council teams and never whoever else to ensure - community and the council teams and never whoever else to ensure we - community and the council teams and never whoever else to ensure we getl never whoever else to ensure we get the best— never whoever else to ensure we get the best possible _ never whoever else to ensure we get the best possible deal— never whoever else to ensure we get the best possible deal for— never whoever else to ensure we get the best possible deal for people - never whoever else to ensure we get the best possible deal for people we| the best possible deal for people we are elected — the best possible deal for people we are elected to — the best possible deal for people we are elected to represent. _ the best possible deal for people we are elected to represent. northern i are elected to represent. northern iretand _ are elected to represent. northern iretand is— are elected to represent. northern iretand is a — are elected to represent. northern ireland is a difficult _ are elected to represent. northern ireland is a difficult place - are elected to represent. northern ireland is a difficult place and - are elected to represent. northern ireland is a difficult place and we l ireland is a difficult place and we need _ ireland is a difficult place and we need to— ireland is a difficult place and we need to resolve _ ireland is a difficult place and we need to resolve some _ ireland is a difficult place and we need to resolve some really- ireland is a difficult place and we need to resolve some really bigi need to resolve some really big issues — need to resolve some really big issues and _ need to resolve some really big issues and i_ need to resolve some really big issues. and i don't _ need to resolve some really big issues. and i don't believe - need to resolve some really big issues. and i don't believe that| need to resolve some really big. issues. and i don't believe that the good _ issues. and i don't believe that the good friday— issues. and i don't believe that the good friday agreement _ issues. and i don't believe that the good friday agreement and - issues. and i don't believe that the good friday agreement and indeed issues. and i don't believe that the - good friday agreement and indeed the northern— good friday agreement and indeed the northern ireland _ good friday agreement and indeed the northern ireland protocol— good friday agreement and indeed the northern ireland protocol are - good friday agreement and indeed the northern ireland protocol are two - northern ireland protocol are two things— northern ireland protocol are two things which _ northern ireland protocol are two things which are _ northern ireland protocol are two things which are compatible. - things which are compatible. therefore _ things which are compatible. therefore we _ things which are compatible. therefore we need _ things which are compatible. therefore we need to - things which are compatible. therefore we need to ensure things which are compatible. - therefore we need to ensure that we carry on _ therefore we need to ensure that we carry on with — therefore we need to ensure that we carry on with the _ therefore we need to ensure that we carry on with the peace _ therefore we need to ensure that we carry on with the peace process - therefore we need to ensure that we carry on with the peace process that| carry on with the peace process that has been _ carry on with the peace process that has been around _ carry on with the peace process that has been around for— carry on with the peace process that has been around for many _ carry on with the peace process that has been around for many years - carry on with the peace process that| has been around for many years now and that— has been around for many years now and that we — has been around for many years now and that we ensure _ has been around for many years now and that we ensure that _ has been around for many years now and that we ensure that that - has been around for many years now and that we ensure that that peace l and that we ensure that that peace process _ and that we ensure that that peace process is— and that we ensure that that peace process is protected _ and that we ensure that that peace process is protected and _ and that we ensure that that peace process is protected and that - and that we ensure that that peace process is protected and that will. process is protected and that will not be _ process is protected and that will not be protected _ process is protected and that will not be protected under— process is protected and that will not be protected under the - process is protected and that will. not be protected under the current circumstances. _ not be protected under the current circumstances. in _ not be protected under the current circumstances. in the _ not be protected under the current circumstances. in the course - not be protected under the current circumstances. in the course of. not be protected under the current| circumstances. in the course of the next number— circumstances. in the course of the next number of _ circumstances. in the course of the next number of weeks, _ circumstances. in the course of the next number of weeks, hopefully.

circumstances. in the course of thel next number of weeks, hopefully or indeed _ next number of weeks, hopefully or indeed months, _ next number of weeks, hopefully or indeed months, to— next number of weeks, hopefully or indeed months, to get— next number of weeks, hopefully or indeed months, to get these - next number of weeks, hopefully or indeed months, to get these issuesj indeed months, to get these issues resolved _ indeed months, to get these issues resolved is — indeed months, to get these issues resolved is going _ indeed months, to get these issues resolved is going to _ indeed months, to get these issues resolved is going to be _ indeed months, to get these issues resolved is going to be a _ indeed months, to get these issues resolved is going to be a critical- resolved is going to be a critical creative — resolved is going to be a critical creative time _ resolved is going to be a critical creative time and _ resolved is going to be a critical creative time and i _ resolved is going to be a critical creative time and i will - resolved is going to be a critical creative time and i will give - resolved is going to be a critical creative time and i will give youj resolved is going to be a critical- creative time and i will give you my assurance _ creative time and i will give you my assurance that _ creative time and i will give you my assurance that i _ creative time and i will give you my assurance that i am _ creative time and i will give you my assurance that i am totally - creative time and i will give you my assurance that i am totally and - assurance that i am totally and utterly— assurance that i am totally and utterly committed _ assurance that i am totally and utterly committed to _ assurance that i am totally and utterly committed to ensuringl assurance that i am totally and - utterly committed to ensuring that we get _ utterly committed to ensuring that we get solutions. _ utterly committed to ensuring that we get solutions. but _ utterly committed to ensuring that we get solutions. but we - utterly committed to ensuring that we get solutions. but we are - we get solutions. but we are northern— we get solutions. but we are northern ireland _ we get solutions. but we are northern ireland work - we get solutions. but we are . northern ireland work together we get solutions. but we are - northern ireland work together as a people. _ northern ireland work together as a people. but— northern ireland work together as a people. but it — northern ireland work together as a people, but it doesn't _ northern ireland work together as a people, but it doesn't matter- northern ireland work together as a people, but it doesn't matter what. people, but it doesn't matter what your background _ people, but it doesn't matter what your background is, _ people, but it doesn't matter what your background is, what - people, but it doesn't matter what. your background is, what community your background is, what community you come _ your background is, what community you come from. _ your background is, what community you come from, none _ your background is, what community you come from, none of— your background is, what community you come from, none of that. - your background is, what community you come from, none of that. we - your background is, what community you come from, none of that. we do| you come from, none of that. we do what _ you come from, none of that. we do what we _ you come from, none of that. we do what we do — you come from, none of that. we do what we do in — you come from, none of that. we do what we do in the _ you come from, none of that. we do what we do in the best _ you come from, none of that. we do what we do in the best interests- you come from, none of that. we do what we do in the best interests of. what we do in the best interests of all of— what we do in the best interests of all of the _ what we do in the best interests of all of the people _ what we do in the best interests of all of the people of— what we do in the best interests of all of the people of northern - all of the people of northern iretand _ all of the people of northern ireland. that— all of the people of northern ireland. that is— all of the people of northern ireland. that is something . all of the people of northern ireland. that is something ii all of the people of northern i ireland. that is something i and all of the people of northern - ireland. that is something i and my party— ireland. that is something i and my party are _ ireland. that is something i and my party are committed _ ireland. that is something i and my party are committed to _ ireland. that is something i and my party are committed to doing - ireland. that is something i and my party are committed to doing but. ireland. that is something i and myl party are committed to doing but we need to— party are committed to doing but we need to ensure — party are committed to doing but we need to ensure that _ party are committed to doing but we need to ensure that respect - party are committed to doing but we need to ensure that respect is- need to ensure that respect is therefore _ need to ensure that respect is therefore what _ need to ensure that respect is therefore what was _ need to ensure that respect is therefore what was built - need to ensure that respect is therefore what was built intoi need to ensure that respect is. therefore what was built into the belfast _ therefore what was built into the belfast agreement, _ therefore what was built into the belfast agreement, good - therefore what was built into the belfast agreement, good fridayl belfast agreement, good friday agreement. _ belfast agreement, good friday agreement, but _ belfast agreement, good friday agreement, but that _ belfast agreement, good friday agreement, but that respect. belfast agreement, good friday agreement, but that respect isl agreement, but that respect is actually— agreement, but that respect is actually on _ agreement, but that respect is actually on it _ agreement, but that respect is actually on it and _ agreement, but that respect is actually on it and carry - agreement, but that respect isl actually on it and carry through. that— actually on it and carry through. that is— actually on it and carry through. that is not— actually on it and carry through. that is not currently— actually on it and carry through. that is not currently the - actually on it and carry through. that is not currently the case i actually on it and carry through. i that is not currently the case and we will _ that is not currently the case and we will seek— that is not currently the case and we will seek to _ that is not currently the case and we will seek to ensure _ that is not currently the case and we will seek to ensure that - that is not currently the case and we will seek to ensure that that i that is not currently the case andl we will seek to ensure that that is correct _ we will seek to ensure that that is correct thank— we will seek to ensure that that is correct. thank you _ we will seek to ensure that that is correct. thank you very— we will seek to ensure that that is correct. thank you very much - we will seek to ensure that that is correct. thank you very much mri correct. thank you very much mr presiding — correct. thank you very much mr presiding officer. _ presiding officer. applause -

applause good morning everyone and firstly apologies that i am slightly late. i was just with a dear friend in the market area's funeral this morning some my condolences to his family at this time. i'm delighted to be here and returned 11 elected for south belfast to be the mla in the half of all in that great and diverse constituency we represent. i also want to extend congratulations to my other four colleagues and i want to extend congratulations to my otherfour colleagues and i look forward to working with you all in the time ahead as we continue to build on the diversity, on the strength of the great constituency that we have all been privileged to be returned to represent as well. again, i want to thank all the constituents and all of those who place their courage in sinn fein and in myself to be their elected representative and i will work hard, i give a commitment before the selection to work hard for all of

the constituents of south belfast to build a really prosperous constituency that the next generation of young people actually want to stay there, they want to work, they want to be educated, want to raise their families and our constituency and that is a commitment that i'm going to continue to work on but, importantly, to deliver on the issues that are so much sedan and it issues that are so much sedan and it is those issues around health, education, jobs, the cost of childcare, tackling hate crime discrimination and equality and sectarianism head—on as well. i'm given a commitment that i will work all those issues are many more and deliver for them and work in partnership with many others but importantly as well what we have been hearing on the doors and i am sure all parties have been hearing this is a commitment to get back found the executive table to deliver for everyone in society on the issues we have been hearing on the doors and to have that within a

functioning executive where we can work in partnership to build a really truly inclusive society and to build on the good friday agreement that we all signed up to 24 agreement that we all signed up to 2a years ago where there is much work to be done on the building of a bill of rights, on creating a really truly inclusive and diverse community where equality is a foundation to the society that we are building here as well. team sinn fein obviously in south belfast, we have really given our vote in the selection and that is i believe in one part due to the hard work that we have done on the ground. i want to thank my team locally in sinn fein and south and east belfast. the many activists who have been out wrapping doors, been on the streets, our elected representatives in the constituency as well who have worked with me over the last few years and to really meet the needs of the constituents and communities in our local community. i also want to

thank all the activists across the board in terms of the dedicated work they've done and we have seen a huge increase in the vote for sinn fein right across the north and i believe the positive politics we have been presenting around giving hope to the future, and then working on partnership and making the power—sharing institutions work have really resonated with people and now from monday morning is the time to get back into work and back into the institutions and deliver on the commitments we have all made in the running to the selection and i will be there with team sinn fein with michelle o'neill first thing on monday morning to get back to work and to do the things that we are elected to do. i also want to thank all of the count stuff here over the last few days, all of the other candidates who have won and who didn't make it. it is a difficult job putting yourself up for election andindeed job putting yourself up for election and indeed all of the staff that helped in the election polling stations as well. none of our

democracy would be possible without them. so, again, thanks to a much, fair play to each and every one of use as well at alexa said in just a last one as i look at edwin thought of christopher stalford as well. all of christopher stalford as well. all of us who knew christopher stalford we used to seeing him in the electoral station at the closing of the pulse checking the results and just again thoughts of him and his wife laura and their children also so again, thanks very much. studio: that was deirdre as sinn fein elected in the constituency of south belfast playing tribute to the late christopher stalford who edwin poots also mentioned as well. which is to reflect on what they were saying, edwin poots of the dup was one of the most critics and vocal

critics of the northern ireland vertical within the party was briefly first minister here as well saying northern ireland was in a difficult place we need to resolve many big issues. he said the good friday agreement in northern ireland critical are not compatible and that was the message we heard from the dup as well saying the northern ireland protocol which governs us post—brexit trade here in northern ireland said it was undermining the good friday agreement that was the foundation of the peace process here and deirdre had a race saying right to make light edwin poots they were committed to the in all the best interests of all the people in northern ireland. —— deirdre was also saying she agreed with edwin poots. whether they all get together to deliver old issues in peoples lives we will and see. we can now

get up—to—date. i'm joined by dr thomas leahy, senior lecturer in british & irish politics at cardiff university thank you very much for being with me today and would you agree with that assessment from edwin poots that assessment from edwin poots that northern ireland is in a difficult place? i that northern ireland is in a difficult place?— difficult place? i think the difficult place? i think the difficult position - difficult place? i think the difficult position is - difficult place? i think the difficult position is i - difficult place? i think the difficult position is i think| difficult place? i think the - difficult position is i think they are at a crossroads. the difficulty they got, if you look at the parties, you've got a kind of pro protocol majority going back into the assembly so i can't see how they are going to change the situation. the key thing we talked about this week is the european union and british government, crucially, and also the irish government in this situation. it is going to be a bit

of a difficult