Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have both visited Belfast today and held meetings with the new Speaker Edwin Poots and the Northern Ireland Executive – including separate meetings with both First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and their parties.
The Prime Minister arrived in Northern Ireland on Sunday night and visited the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland charity.
It's great to be back in Northern Ireland – a special part of our United Kingdom.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 4, 2024
After two years, it's clear how important the Assembly's return is to local people – giving them a say in issues that matter.
Now it's time to deliver a brighter future for Northern Ireland. pic.twitter.com/BEuh4B731C
The Taoiseach visited Parliament Buildings this morning to meet with Edwin Poots – the new Assembly Speaker.
Speaker, Edwin Poots MLA, with the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during his visit to Parliament Buildings. pic.twitter.com/FRhwrhIBjB
— Northern Ireland Assembly (@niassembly) February 5, 2024
The Democratic Unionist Party said that “it is always good to welcome the Prime Minister visiting Northern Ireland and outline our priorities to keep moving forward”.
PM Rishi Sunak told the Executive that “it has taken a lot of hard work and indeed courage to get us sitting round this table.”
“Today isn’t the end; it’s the beginning, and the real work starts now”.
The Assembly is due to meet on Tuesday to establish committees for each of the departments.
