the chance of northern ireland and the republic of ireland reuniting — essentially becoming one islandfirst minister now, michelle o'neill. she wants ireland to reunite. she thinks that could happen within the next decade. unionists here, of course, unionist politicians do not want that. but that is something that could be discussed with rishi sunak today. also today, leo varadkar, the irish prime minister, or taoiseach, he arrived. he's holding talks with politicians here discussing various issues. there's not much actual work going on here today. it's a lot of chats, a lot of photos, a lot of handshakes. but it's hugely symbolic to see stormont back up and running after two years of political chaos. essentially, there were many times where we thought we'd never get to this point. i've stood outside these buildings many times and just said, nothing's happening, and we don't expect anything to happen in the weeks, the months to come, and now to see politicians back doing theirjob is a huge moment for people in northern ireland and what they'll be hoping is it doesn't collapse again and

these young people are part of northern ireland's future, but is northern ireland part of theirs?re for the rest of my life. if northern ireland became more open and the political system became better here, i would come back. apart from its quirks, i do love living here. but, realistically, looking at the political situation, i don't really see it getting any better. it's sometimes shameful to say, "oh, i'm from northern ireland," especially as a politics student. when you talk to others — like when you go to england, if you talk to people who study politics, they go, "oh, northern ireland, we hear you're a bit of a...bit of a loose cannon." do you find, as a teenager, those kind of old sectarian divides — catholic/protestant, unionist/nationalist — i mean, does that affect your life? i'm ashamed to say i probably do think about that. i think that's sort of embedded in all of us here, sort of a wee tiny bit. but it's just sort of something automatically that seems to come with living here and we just do it so naturally, unfortunately, and, you know, it shouldn't be like that. and

i ireland. i wondered what you thought about that. . �* ireland.ce to read it, i _ about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, iwill— about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, i will but _ about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, i will but i _ about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, i will but i have - about that. i haven't had a chance to read it, i will but i have read i to read it, i will but i have read the summary and i don't agree with it as you won't be surprised to hear. as a country and government, we take security and defence very seriously, dramatically scaling up our defence budget on ireland and involved in security in the un and members of pasco, the relationship with nato for the partnership of peace. we take security measures very seriously. peace. we take security measures very seriously-— very seriously. this was made ossible very seriously. this was made possible today _ very seriously. this was made possible today by _ very seriously. this was made possible today by negotiating | very seriously. this was ma

northern ireland is never— this is done. northern ireland is never done. is a process, not an event. ~ . ., event. mr ahern, could asked for our event. mr ahern, could asked for your confidence _ event. mr ahern, could asked for your confidence in _ event. mr ahern, could asked for your confidence in the _ event. mr ahern, could asked for| your confidence in the institutions lasting? your confidence in the institutions lastin: ? �* , ., , your confidence in the institutions lastina? �*, , your confidence in the institutions lastinu? �*, ,'::::f lasting? peter's last point is 100% correct, it lasting? peter's last point is 10096 correct. it is _ lasting? peter's last point is 10096 correct. it is a _ lasting? peter's last point is 10096 correct, it is a process _ lasting? peter's last point is 10096 correct, it is a process and - lasting? peter's last point is 10096 correct, it is a process and it - correct, it is a process and it won't end here. the act —— the executive set up on saturday doesn't end anything, it gains another phase of this and it will be

and in the south of ireland has have - in the south of ireland has have some _ in the south of irelandnot— in the south of ireland has have some pay rises, not enough, i in the south of ireland has have i some pay rises, not enough, but some to keep up _ some pay rises, not enough, but some to keep up with— some pay rises, not enough, but some to keep up with the _ some pay rises, not enough, but some to keep up with the crippling _ to keep up with the crippling inflation _ to keep up with the crippling inflation we _ to keep up with the crippling inflation we have _ to keep up with the crippling inflation we have had - to keep up with the crippling inflation we have had over. to keep up with the crippling i inflation we have had over the to keep up with the crippling - inflation we have had over the last year~ _ inflation we have had over the last year. northern— inflation we have had over the last year. northern ireland _ inflation we have had over the last year. northern ireland have - inflation we have had over the last year. northern ireland have not i inflation we have had over t

chance of northern ireland, but the chance of northern ireland and the republic of ireland reunited,coming one island. it is the nationalist first minister now, michelle o'neill, she wants northern ireland to reunite. unionist politicians do not want that body could be something discuss with rishi sunak today. also today, leo varadkar, the irish taoiseach, he arrived and is holding talks with politicians and discussing various issues. there is not much work going on, it is a lot of chat, photos and handshakes but it is symbolic to see stormont up and running after two years of political chaos, essentially. there were many times where we never thought we would get to this point. i have stood outside these buildings many times and just said, nothing is happening and we don't expect anything to happen in the weeks and months to come. now we see politicians back and doing their job, it is a huge moment for northern ireland and they will be hoping it doesn't collapse again and they will be in the same situation they will be in the same situation they have been in for the last two years. t

a united ireland? there will be a united ireland and i'm not too sure if there will be a united ireland my lifetime. i think that there will be motions to maybe move towards one but i think that we should remain a part of the united kingdom. 100% i do believe there will be a united ireland my lifetime i because when you look at the current situation that we've had _ for the last two years, - and over the last 100 years of partition, partition has failed everyone. i the past week has seen massive political change in northern ireland — the return of devolved government and the first nationalist first minister in the shape of sinn fein�*s michelle o'neill. it's truly historic, and as someone who would be a republican themselves, it's truly amazing to see that we're making progress. if you could give a message to politicians in northern ireland, what would it be? you're voted into represent your constituents and to represent your country — do the job, the point you are there is to solve problems not create

it bring power-sharing to northern ireland? , ., , ., ireland?reland? it is not easy being a politician anywhere, - ireland? it is not easy being a politician anywhere, and - ireland? it is not easy being a politician anywhere, and it. ireland? it is not easy being a politician anywhere, and it is| ireland? it is not easy being a i politician anywhere, and it is not easyin politician anywhere, and it is not easy in northern ireland, but i think young people would find it hard to understand that people who are elected, say, over the last five years, and spent only two years at their desk, and in my day in politics you would not have got away with that, so you can't blame people, but people will want to see a young people will want to see educational services and they will want to see how the better and the economy being better —— the health being better. the politicians in the republic of ireland and london will want to help the politicians in the north, and what we tried to do was to be helpful and try to stop the violence and build a new society

in the north of ireland, yes.ireland is one day to be unified with the republic, to be one united ireland. do i believe in it? to me, and quite honestly, whether it happens or not is neither here nor there to me, because i believe more so the way my feet dance, the music i listen to, is kind of irish. but that doesn't say that i don't have a great love and affection for a lot of english or british things. one does not dissociate the other, and that's part of the problem. we have a lot of people who say, like, "that's the way we are. "that's wrong." it's just — it's too embedded, and the more progressive politics that we need in the north of ireland, we really need it. that's why i was very disappointed about the democratic unionist party, you know. of course, we're celebrating today because they finally said after two years, "we will try and move forward." but, you know, of any culture anywhere, when you face the people who keep saying, "no, never, notan inch, "surrender, i'll take the ball, we're going home. "we'

ireland and i know they are going that need attention in northern- ireland and i know they are goingand i know they are going to work very hard on that _ ireland and i know they are going to work very hard on that and - ireland and i know they are going to work very hard on that and we - ireland and i know they are going to work very hard on that and we are i work very hard on that and we are keen_ work very hard on that and we are keen to _ work very hard on that and we are keen to get — work very hard on that and we are keen to get cooperation _ work very hard on that and we are keen to get cooperation going - work very hard on that and we are i keen to get cooperation going again. we have _ keen to get cooperation going again. we have a _ keen to get cooperation going again. we have a meeting _ keen to get cooperation going again. we have a meeting in _ keen to get cooperation going again. we have a meeting in next _ keen to get cooperation going again. we have a meeting in next couple i keen to get cooperation going again. we have a meeting in next couple of| we have a meeting in

northern ireland civil rights.her, and started to take over in the mainstream. but the basis of all the — what were they going to talk, challenging the state of northern ireland was about gerrymandering and one man, one vote. we'd already seen what had happened in america, with martin luther king and the right for civil rights, basic civil rights, and it was — this was in the early �*60s. and people started to march for civil rights based at the university, people's democracy, in �*68 - �*67, �*68. the idea that this is not an equal society in any way. i mean, it's very interesting, because if that was on the mainland, in great britain, they'd say, "this is ridiculous." but this was the system that had been set up, and basically was an abuse of, of democracy. as you say, there is a very clear distinction between the civil rights movement and then what became the provisional ira and an armed struggle, which was directed then at getting the british out of northern ireland, and in the long run, seeking unity... the un

. , ., , ., , issues we have here in northern ireland. , ., , ., ireland.s to the day since devolution in effect - since devolution in effect collapsed, leaving people in northern ireland without a government. ministers have been out of office for a total of five out of the last seven years and that means there is a huge list of issues to be dealt with when they return. possibly the first item on the agenda... possibly the first item on the agenda- - -_ possibly the first item on the agenda- - -— possibly the first item on the arenda... ~ ., , ., ., possibly the first item on the arenda...~ ., , ., ., agenda... we are 'ust going to come awa from agenda... we are 'ust going to come away from that — agenda... we are just going to come away from that report. _ agenda... we are just going to come away from that report. as _ agenda... we are just going to come away from that report. as you - agenda... we are just going to come away from that report. as you can i away from that report. as you can see, the next group of politicians is coming down the stairs from t

her party, sinn fein, hopes to one day unite northern ireland with the republic of ireland. became the biggest party during elections 2 years ago. it is also two years to the day that the assembly at stormont last met, after the main unionist party — the democratic unionists — walked out of the power—sharing agreement over post brexit trading rules. 0ur political editor, chris mason, reports from belfast. good morning, stormont! stormont sits back up and running today, we've been running the past two years. limbering up and under way — park runners here first thing pounding around the stormont estate. and the politicians are back, too. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. so there's going to be quite a number in the house, i believe, today. but they're welcome tojoin the park run. good to see them back? erm... we'll see. to be confirmed, still. so you thought you'd run at stormont today because the politicians are back? yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. hopefully a wee bit more conversation going forward. arriv

former northern ireland political i former northern ireland political editor for the bbc.editorfor the bbc. around the former northern ireland political editor for the bbc. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. bbc news, bringing you different stories from across the uk. t pita? stories from across the uk. i play football every _ stories from across the uk. i play football every thursday, - stories from across the uk. t vi: football every thursday, supposedly i scored three goals that night, i do not remember it because towards the end of the game i collapsed in the end of the game i collapsed in the middle of the pitch. gt? the end of the game i collapsed in the middle of the pitch.— the middle of the pitch. gp picnic, suffered a cardiac— the middle of the pitch. gp picnic, suffered a cardiac arrest _ the middle of the pitch. gp picnic, suffered a cardiac arrest but - suffered a cardiac arrest but fortunately for him there were people on the pitch he could help. t people on the pitch he could help. i thought he was in some sort of pain or agony. _ thought

what ireland's minister says about the important role the u.s.play in the stability of theewly returned northern ireland government. ♪ >> hello and welcome to world news america, i am katrina, is really prime minister benjamin netanyahu is rejecting a cease-fire proposal counter offer from hamas pledging to continue the offensive in the gaza strip until a victory. they plan to expand, operations pours the city of rafa near the egyptian border. half of gaza's population has a sot refuge there. in his remarks he vowed to continue the war against hamas and rejected what he said were delusional demands from the group. hamas laid out a process to release israeli hostages in several phases in exchange for palestinian as a nurse and i period of calm to allow dramatic -- boston u is a nurse and a. period of calm. and delegation will head to cairo for peace talks and qatar. this comes as antony blinken wraps up his trip to the region where he has pledging for military and pause and says the u.s. will keep its focus on bringing israeli hostages home. >> th

all right, so bear, good, angry, northern ireland place in the union or moving closer to united ireland. what are the pundents saying? what are you hearing out there? or the polls are really not clear. this stage saves a majority of people in northern ireland and olds and the republic of island would have to vote for a united all. and so it's not here whether that would get through. but that the, she didn't say that they want, that they've always made that. yeah, it's that facility claim. i've interviewed maneesha in saying politicians in the past, and they've always maintained that their am is a united ireland. and that has to come about by a poll of, of voters in the north end or in the republic of ireland. and well, it might not be that the day yet, but it seems to be that the hard line views against a know the know the reunification or unification with republic. that those views might be shifting, might be softening in north and all that. and that's really something quite extraordinary, that's taking place in northern ireland as a direct consequence of breaks it. so they shouldn't f

we'll be live to northern ireland for the latest.national apprenticeship week kicks off here in the uk — we ask why we don't value them on the same scale as traditional academic routes. and we take another look at the grammys. but this time we'll leave the glamour and look at how the business of music is changing. hello, i'm sally bundock with the top business stories. if you justjoined us, you are very welcome. we begin in northern ireland, where rishi sunak will attend stormont later today to mark the return of devolved government. new post—brexit trade arrangements between northern ireland, the rest of the uk and the european union have been set out by the uk government. the democratic unionist party refused to support earlier trade plans but has backed this new deal. so what do we know? well, it will reduce checks and paperwork on goods going from great britain to northern ireland. there will be no routine checks on british items being sold to consumers in northern ireland. however, some british products brought in for processing

the issue of a united ireland would be dealt wh by a referendum.n the secretary of state thinks there is a strong case, he would have one. i don't think personally that is imminent. i think the problems the government now faces is enormous. and to reemphasize the point, although he holds the first ministership, it is exactly the same in terms of power and authority as the deputy first minister. there are people who said they should call him joint first ministers. they did not do that 25 years ago. you mentioned the talks in 1997, 1998. we realized there was going to be a really rocky part after the good friday agreement. did not think for one minute that suddenly all things would be brilliant. it was not going to be like that because we were dealing with decades of terrible relationships betwn the two communities. inevitably, happily -- it really is a good day for us all. >> really good to have you with us. grateful for your insight. that is lord paul murphy, secretary of state for northern ireland. full coverage on bbc news this weekend. significa

health _ ireland that hasn't been impacted. health is _ ireland that hasn't been impacted.ting list in northern europe, it is severely underfunded, hospitals we are regularly hearing of cues, patients being _ regularly hearing of cues, patients being kept in corridors, long waits to access — being kept in corridors, long waits to access health care, gps, dentists. _ to access health care, gps, dentists, everything is effectively on its _ dentists, everything is effectively on its knees in that regard, and that— on its knees in that regard, and that is— on its knees in that regard, and that isjust _ on its knees in that regard, and that isjust one sector. a look at education. — that isjust one sector. a look at education, infrastructure, the state of the _ education, infrastructure, the state of the rules— education, infrastructure, the state of the rules will give you an indication to some of their challenges and that is not before you get _ challenges and that is not before you get into the constituencies, many— you get into the constituencies, many bumps on the road. so,

could ou ut minister in northern ireland. could you out into _ minister in northern ireland._ minister in northern ireland. could you put into perspective how- you put into perspective how historic this is, to have the first ever nationalist prime minister there, first minister? it ever nationalist prime minister there, first minister?- there, first minister? it was a moment really _ there, first minister? it was a moment really that _ there, first minister? it was a moment really that many - there, first minister? it was a i moment really that many people didn't think would happen. the creation of northern ireland, it was always intended that people... people are shouting questions now at leo varadkar. he wasn't in the mid to answer any, wants to get straight to answer any, wants to get straight to business. back to what i was saying, a significant moment, many people didn't think we would have a nationalist first minister in northern ireland. when northern ireland was created, that was never the intention of people who set it up, it was supposed to be run by unionists, peop

to be blunt, across northern ireland? to be blunt. not _ across northern ireland?land? to be blunt, not a lot in as far - across northern ireland? to be blunt, not a lot in as far as - across northern ireland? to be blunt, not a lot in as far as the | blunt, not a lot in as far as the more — blunt, not a lot in as far as the more practical aspects of governance in northern— more practical aspects of governance in northern ireland, so the offices of first _ in northern ireland, so the offices of first minister and deputy first minister— of first minister and deputy first minister are equal, they are co—equals, so effectively we have already— co—equals, so effectively we have already had governance under the dup and sinn _ already had governance under the dup and sinn fein leadership, so this isn't _ and sinn fein leadership, so this isn't entirely new in that sense, so it is the _ isn't entirely new in that sense, so it is the symbolic aspect of how much _ it is the symbolic aspect of how much they— it is the symbolic aspect of how much they choose to lead on this t

northern ireland's biggest radio show.the studio this morning. good morning, sirjeffrey. good morning to you. good morning, good morning. now on the eve of it returning, scrutiny for the man who has made it happen. i'm just trying to get into the fine detail here. into the weeds, stephen? yes, i am. yeah. unashamedly trying to get into the weeds because there is a question mark. there are lots of question marks. precisely what has the dup secured that wouldn't have happened anyway? we've made massive changes, stephen. many of the barriers to trade are gone. businesses will now be able to move goods from great britain to northern ireland without the checks that were unnecessary, without the customs paperwork that was unnecessary. the crux of all of this is brexit means northern ireland has a closer relationship with the eu than england, scotland and wales, and it still does. this has had, and does have, all sorts of consequences. there are 11 additional species of trees that have recently been approved to come into northern

we all know northern ireland _ important. we all know northern ireland is— important.hoped we would not — people had given up and hoped we would not be where we are today. the buzz of _ would not be where we are today. the buzz of this _ would not be where we are today. the buzz of this place is amazing but it is a restrictive hope, it needs action— is a restrictive hope, it needs action to _ is a restrictive hope, it needs action to follow through. young people — action to follow through. young people have not given up on politics yet and _ people have not given up on politics yet and we — people have not given up on politics yet and we would be in a frightening place _ yet and we would be in a frightening place if— yet and we would be in a frightening place if politicians had not developed —— turned out for them. they— developed —— turned out for them. they will— developed —— turned out for them. they will turn out for the next election— they will turn out for the next election whatever they are and they want things delivered for them so they will— want things delive

and overseas northern ireland.g, that money will be released. i think what we will see in the next period of time as a element of expectation being managed by political leaders here. the first minister michelle o'neill, the deputy first minister from the dup, will say, look, we're glad to be up and running, the vast majority in the assembly are, but it will not happen overnight. things will not happen overnight. things will take time to improve, even with a dollop of cash, and as you are hinting at in your question, plenty of politicians here saying the funding formula for westminster needs to look at, which is political speak for send more needs to look at, which is political speakfor send more money. so needs to look at, which is political speak for send more money. so what is the itinerary _ speak for send more money. so what is the itinerary of _ speak for send more money. so what is the itinerary of a _ speak for send more money. so what is the itinerary of a rishi _ speak for send more money. so what is the i

of remaining in northern ireland. the power sharing institution is central to the 1998 good friday agreement . ended 3 decades of violence in northern ireland from the 1970s viewed as one of the most prolonged complex in post for western europe at the time. the suspension of the assembly installment belfast affected public services creating simply a difficulties, particularly in health and education. we're conscious that there is a huge amount of work to be done and that's at society has really suffered from the absence of governments over the last 2 years. we're almost 2 years away from the the last assembly election, the assembly to nice it for the 1st time since elections 2 years ago. the highest number of seats one by sion fame, the political wing of the all right, versus room for the to use. the 1st time a policy seeking united ireland, one and the election in northern ireland under the good friday agreement, signed by all parties, the irish and purchase governments and underwritten by the u. s. and e. u. a refer

they will have to be dealt with, and a united ireland will be dealt with ljy a united ireland will be have to deal with those. and of course, to reemphasize the point — although sinn fein holds the first ministership, it is exactly the same in terms of power and authority as the deputy first minister. indeed, there are some who have said perhaps we should call them joint first ministers, but we didn�*t do that backin ministers, but we didn�*t do that back in 25 years ago. and he mentioned the talks in 1997—98, we realised then that there was going to be a really rocky path after the good friday agreement was signed. we didn�*t think for one minute that suddenly, all things were going to be brilliant and bright. it wasn�*t going to be like that because we were dealing with decades and decades of a terrible relationship between the two communities. so inevitably, things would go up and down — but happily at this time, they are not. it�*s a good day for us they are not. it's a good day for us all. ., , they are not. it's a good day for us all. . , ., ., ,, all. really good to have you wi

but also to the fraction _ in northern ireland but also to the fraction to— in northern ireland buteffrey— politics in northern ireland. sir jeffrey donaldson is not returning from _ jeffrey donaldson is not returning from his— jeffrey donaldson is not returning from his seat as an mp. there is a lot of— from his seat as an mp. there is a lot of speculation as to who is going — lot of speculation as to who is going to — lot of speculation as to who is going to be put in place as deputy first minister. it looks like it is going — first minister. it looks like it is going to, — first minister. it looks like it is going to, the substitute after the last assembly election. the thing is michelle _ last assembly election. the thing is michelle o'neill has promised to be a michelle 0'neill has promised to be a first— michelle o'neill has promised to be a first minister for all of northern ireiand _ a first minister for all of northern ireland. the rules of first minister and deputy first minister are theoretically coequal. but a lot is going _ theoretically coequal. but a lot is going to —

south.— it is up to the people of ireland in north and south.e're doing here that fundamental _ north and south. nothing we're doing here that fundamental principle. - north and south. nothing we're doing here that fundamental principle. so l here that fundamental principle. so here that fundamental principle. so he is aptly right to make that point and i hope i have clarified it for him properly. iwill and i hope i have clarified it for him properly. i will happily give way. him properly. i will happily give wa . ., ., way. further to the point made by the honourable _ way. further to the point made by the honourable member- way. further to the point made by the honourable member for- way. further to the point made by| the honourable member for foyle, way. further to the point made by - the honourable member for foyle, the the honourable memberfor foyle, the difficulty was that the northern ireland protocol, in the eyes of unionists, undermine the principle of consent. it is at the heart of the good friday agreement. does he agree with me that

bbc northern ireland _ to our colleagues there. bbc northern ireland for - there. bbc northern ireland for staving us through the last couple of hours. we have got continuous coverage on the symbolically important day, historically significant day. we now have the first minister here in northern ireland from sinn fein nationalist party. we have heard from her in the chamber, just to remind you of the geography. this is the hole with all the waiting journalists behind our political analysts with me here and over there the chamber is where we have been hearing from the new people in their roles for the very first time. significantly, we heard from michelle o'neill. thatjust take a quick listen to some of her speech. take a quick listen to some of her seech. ., ., , ., , speech. none of us are being asked to surrender— speech. none of us are being asked to surrender who _ speech. none of us are being asked to surrender who we _ speech. none of us are being asked to surrender who we are. _ speech. none of us are being asked to surrender who we are. our - to surrender w

of course, are many people in the north of ireland who want to see a new ireland as soon as possible. paper and what he has said and others have said, does he agree that the good friday agreement is sacrosanct? and it's absolutely clear that if people vote for a constitutional change, that's what happens. it's not up to the british government or anybody else. it's up to the people of ireland, north and south. the difficulty was that the northern ireland protocol in the eyes of the unionists undermined the principle of consent which is at the heart of the good friday agreement. does he agree with me that these new measures, and the legislation, resets the balance so that it is the principle of consent and the will of the people of northern ireland alone that will determine the future of our country as part of the united kingdom? both the right honourable gentleman and the owneri of the gentlemen are making exactly the same point _ and rightly so. they represent two communities that have governed by consent in the past and the whole point of what we're doing here today to and get - gove

for all of northern ireland. , q g; g; ireland.. they were offered £35 billion for public services - ireland. they were offered £35 billion for public services to - billion for public services to get evolution back up and running. they say they need more but the prime minister seems to be ruling that out. £3.73 seems to be ruling that out. £35 billion represents a generous and fair settlement for northern ireland and crucially it is sustainable and it's about ensuring public finances in northern ireland are sustainable for the long—term. that is the approach we have taken that i think will really benefit everyone here. also it stormont today, leo varadkar, the irish prime minister. michelle believes there will be a referendum about a united ireland the next decade. so what does the prime minister think?— minister think? everyone is committed _ minister think? everyone is committed to _ minister think? everyone is committed to the _ minister think? everyone is committed to the belfast . minister think? everyone is . committed to the

cloudier for northern ireland for sunday.udierfor northern ireland and scotland and northern england as well. some of that rain pushing southwards towards lincolnshire but the wettest weather reserved for parts of western and southern scotland with warnings in force. potential rain for northern ireland but cloudier than saturday than it is for northern england. further south, is for northern england. furthersouth, misty is for northern england. further south, misty and murky around the coast and the hills. likely less sunshine than a saturday but it is mild. slightly windier day with gales to the north. the northern isles should stay in if the brighter, showery, colder weather with showers still coming. the warning run through saturday evening and overnight so wait for much of thunder and there will be some snow as it hits the cold weather. for most are predominantly mild night sunday into monday. frost in the north and east and away the snow is falling. rain continues to fall through monday. a good couple of inches at lower

i humbly disauree northern ireland right now. i humbly disagree with — northern ireland right now.re - northern ireland right now. i humbly disagree with that. there were no i disagree with that. there were no ministers to take decisions at all. if i had been taking political decisions that would have looked like direct rule which would have caused problems in the troubled past and we were sorting out the problems of the £660 million overspend that we found when the government actually had to take overjust managing the finances. essentially all we could do was manage the finances. there is a £3.3 billion package available to ministers on day one here to get on with the job of sorting out northern ireland's public sector pay, health services, and a whole host of other things and i would say that his ample for the time being. but i would say that his ample for the time being-— time being. but if somebody is watchin: time being. but if somebody is watching this _ time being. but if somebody is watching this programme i time being. but if somebody is watching this programme thisl time

the thing northern ireland needs most is a sustained _ thing northern ireland needs most is a sustained assembly in place, and that has had impacts on public services _ and that has had impacts on public services and on what people experience in their day—to—day lives in terms _ experience in their day—to—day lives in terms of — experience in their day—to—day lives in terms of health waiting lists, schools — in terms of health waiting lists, schools budgets, special educational needs. _ schools budgets, special educational needs, the lack of a childcare strategy _ needs, the lack of a childcare strategy. there is a huge list to -et strategy. there is a huge list to get on — strategy. there is a huge list to get on top _ strategy. there is a huge list to get on top of those things, you need stability— get on top of those things, you need stability in _ get on top of those things, you need stability in government, stability underpinning good government, and so politicians _ underpinning good government, and so politicians need to come back and commit _ politicians need to come back and co

. . ,. , ireland.c, we saw pictures of michelle — ireland. symbolic, we saw pictures of michelle o'neill _ ireland. symbolic, we saw pictures of michelle o'neill coming - ireland. symbolic, we saw pictures of michelle o'neill coming down i ireland. symbolic, we saw pictures. of michelle o'neill coming down the main staircase there and walking into the chamber. very often the parties do that as a group but her party decided today to let her do that on her own. the symbolism of that on her own. the symbolism of that will not be lost on anybody. yes, everything well sequence here at stormont today, deliberate decision by the party to allow that to happen because the other parties took a different approach. they were led by party leaders down the stairs and into the chambers all accept jeffrey donaldson of the dup, because he is not an mla so cannot get access to that chamber. he did lead the party down the stairs. very striking to see michelle o'neill how that moment on her own coming down the stairs in f

in the next few hours, northern ireland is expected l hours, northern ireland is expected to have itsionalist leader since it was formed over a century ago. shall o'neal is due to become first minister of the devolved government. her party, sinn fein, hopes to unite the province with the republic of ireland. sinn fein became the biggest party during elections two years ago, but the devolved government collapsed when the main unionist party, which once the province to remain part of the united kingdom, walked out in protest as opposed to —— opposing brexit trade arrangements. for more on this, we go live to stormont. welcome to stormont, we have been inside for the past hour because we are now only a couple of hours away from the formalities kicking off inside. we will show you a quick lay of the land. these are the front doors, the beautifulfacade is that way. we come in here. this is where the world's press and media is. you can see the tripods there. there is a media briefing going on so lots of activity at these tripods. just so you are aware, these steps might be familiar to you,

in the late 1990s, northern ireland still feeling the effect of that, really northern ireland made —he next few hours the new ministers in the power—sharing regional government will hold the first formal meeting to discuss policies so it will be down to work and they face many challenges including the fact that is a health service here thatis fact that is a health service here that is widely regarded as being in crisis with the longest hospital waiting times in the uk and also challenges for budgets in the area of education. and all the parties are saying they want to put together some sort of package to help working parents with the cost of childcare. they think that's important for the economy as well. so they will be a big list of items and certainly the likes of business groups and community organisations in northern ireland wishing the ministers very well but also people are looking at the facts that power—sharing here is always fragile in northern ireland has been without a regional government for five out of the last seven years so people are saying we hope it works this time

there is for obvious reasons in the context of northern ireland in the context of northern ireland andhe british monarch in the process of a first or deputy first minister assuming office, because obviously all of those questions were keenly discussed and debated in the most fine detail in the assembly of the very structures that we're talking about. i'm glad you managed to make an interesting and important substantial point after my shallow... it is a different colour, but i would like to know the answer to that. i don't think it's a shadow question. a shallow question. well, it represents something. why is it different, why is it different? yeah. and symbols matter. my goodness, they matter here. i feel that we should take advantage of chris mason and that ultimately... what do you mean? well, i'm going to explain that. the thing is that we do need you, chris, because you're so rarely here for us, to cast your eye over the thing that laura and i and henry have been wanging on about, which is the tax—cutting tories and the green—spending labour, where have the plans gone? so on the wh

it is great to be back in northern ireland. _ ago. it is great to be back in northern ireland. in northern ireland. we have l ago. it is great to be back in - northern ireland. we have made significant progress towards a brighter future for people here. yesterday the assembly sat for the first time in two years. tonight, i have been meeting with volunteers and crew at the air ambulance. it is people and services like this and many more that the executive can now focus on, delivering for families and businesses across northern ireland and with a new deal we have agreed they will have the funding and the powers to do exactly that. they come make you mention funding. parties will be asking for more money tomorrow. anything on top of the £3 billion you have put on the table already? last year we negotiated the deal, £3 billion represents a generous, fair settlement for northern ireland and crucially, it is sustainable, it is about ensuring the public finances in northern ireland are sustainable for the long—term. that is the approach we have taken which will benefit everyone here,