‘Historic day’ as Michelle O’Neill becomes Northern Ireland's first nationalist first minister
ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen is at Stormont as the Northern Ireland Assembly meets, bringing an end to a two-year political impasse
Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill has now made history as Northern Ireland's first nationalist first minister.
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly met to restore powersharing on Saturday - two years to the day since the devolved government collapsed.
Ms O'Neill began her leadership with a speech, in which she said she was "sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict, without exception".
"As first minister I am wholeheartedly committed to continuing the work of reconciliation between all of our people," she added.
As Ms O'Neill was sworn in she pledged to "fight the corner of every citizen".
She said: "We have many shared priorities. Which I know we will all reflect today.
"We must deliver on more affordable childcare to support workers and families."
The appointment of the Sinn Fein vice president provided a moment of history on the day the powersharing institutions returned after a two-year hiatus.
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA Emma Little-Pengelly was nominated as deputy First Minister.
Taking up the post, she said she and Ms O’Neill come from “very different backgrounds”, but for her part she will work “tirelessly to ensure that we can deliver for all in Northern Ireland”.
The two top jobs in the ministerial executive wield equal power and responsibility, but the elevation of a republican to the office of first minister, by virtue of Sinn Fein becoming the region’s largest political party in the 2022 Assembly election, is undoubtedly a significant symbolic moment for Northern Ireland.
The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, has agreed to the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal on post-Brexit trade with the UK Government, which party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border on goods remaining within the UK.
On Thursday, the Government fast-tracked two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return on Saturday.
The proceedings commenced with the process of nominating a speaker, with former DUP leader Edwin Poots elected to the role.
Mr Donaldson said it has been a “challenging journey” to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive over the last two years.
He said: “I believe that my party has delivered what many said we couldn’t.
“We have brought about change that many said was not possible, and I believe that today is a good day for Northern Ireland, a day when once again our place in the United Kingdom and its internal market is respected and protected in our law and restored for all our people to enjoy the benefits of our membership of the union,” he told media in the Great Hall.
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Doug Beattie said the people of Northern Ireland have “suffered greatly” during the two years that devolved government has been absent.
“We have many challenges going ahead, we all accept that.
“Getting Stormont up and running will not be the panacea but it gives us the platform to start fixing, and this is all about making Northern Ireland work,” he said.
Meanwhile, Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) MLA Matthew O’Toole described the day as “historic”.
He made reference to the cult 1993 film Groundhog Day, which is based on real events on February 2 in the United States, saying “yesterday was groundhog day, but today is the next day”.
“Today something historic will happen,” he said.
“Michelle O’Neill is going to be nominated and appointed as first minister of Northern Ireland, the first nationalist or republican for that post.
“That is a moment of profound significance, We look forward to wishing her well.”
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Party leaders met on Friday at Stormont Castle to discuss priorities for the incoming executive.
Key among the priorities of new ministers will be dealing with the budget crisis which is affecting public services in Northern Ireland.
The Government has offered a £3.3 billion package to secure Northern Ireland’s finances when the Assembly returns, including £600 million to settle public sector pay claims.
However, Sir Jeffrey indicated that the parties would be working together to secure more money from the Treasury.
He added: “The finance piece is unfinished business which we intend to finish.”