Stormont: First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
By Gemma Murray
Published 5th Feb 2024, 09:14 BST
Updated 5th Feb 2024, 12:17 BST
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is meeting Northern Ireland's new First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
He left Parliament Buildings to travel the short distance to Stormont Castle, home to the Northern Ireland Executive, joined by Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
And an extra seat was added to the Northern Ireland Executive table as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined ministers during his Stormont visit.
He sat between the new Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (left) and First Minister Michelle O'Neill.
Earlier Mr Sunak was accompanied by the Speaker of the newly-restored Assembly Edwin Poots and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
Mr Poots told the BBC that he always enjoys the "cut and thrust" of being on the floor so his new job will be a move away to impartially refereeing.
"I will do everything I can to ensure Northern Ireland moves forward and we will keep real scrutiny on the ministers," he says.
And Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has also arrived at Parliament Buildings in Belfast where he was greeted by new Speaker Edwin Poots.
Mr Varadkar told waiting reporters it is a “very positive day” as he walked in to the building.
He sat between the new Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (left) and First Minister Michelle O'Neill.
13. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 5th February 2024 First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Stormont Castle The Northern Ireland Assembly met on Saturday for the first time in two years to elect a speaker and department ministers. The DUP had been boycotting Stormont due to issue with the Northern Ireland Protocol Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pictured with Michelle O'Neill, Emma Little-Pengelly and other members of the Executive. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Stormont Castle Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
14. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 5th February 2024 First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Stormont Castle The Northern Ireland Assembly met on Saturday for the first time in two years to elect a speaker and department ministers. The DUP had been boycotting Stormont due to issue with the Northern Ireland Protocol Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pictured with Michelle O'Neill, Emma Little-Pengelly and other members of the Executive. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Stormont Castle Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
15. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 5th February 2024 First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Stormont Castle The Northern Ireland Assembly met on Saturday for the first time in two years to elect a speaker and department ministers. The DUP had been boycotting Stormont due to issue with the Northern Ireland Protocol Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pictured with Michelle O'Neill, Emma Little-Pengelly and other members of the Executive. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Stormont Castle Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye