Summary

  • The British and Irish prime ministers visited Belfast on Monday to mark the restoration of devolution.

  • On Saturday, a new power-sharing government was formed by Stormont's five main parties

  • Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar met First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and other ministers.

  1. That's all from us...published at 16:01 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

    The prime ministers have gone and the Great Hall has emptied, so we'll call it a day. The assembly returns in the morning and we'll have live coverage of the proceedings.

    Stormont's empty great hall
  2. The PM 'must deliver'published at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

    First Minister Arlene Foster says the prime minister 'must deliver' financial package for NI.

    "We have stepped up to the plate in relation to the political agreement," she said.

    "It is now incumbent upon the prime minister to step up to the plate in relation to financial resources."

    Party leaders are due to meet the NI Secretary Julian Smith shortly to iron out the detail of the financial package.

    First Minister Arlene FosterImage source, bbc
  3. Foster on water chargespublished at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

    The first minister said:

    "I don’t think water charges will be on the table. It is something that has no support anywhere in the executive and I don’t see that coming forward".

    Arlene Foster
  4. 'No comment' on Prince Harrypublished at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

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  5. A bit of a catch uppublished at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

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  6. Is there division on veterans' prosecutions?published at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

    Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar were asked if they were divided on the issue of prosecuting soldiers for alleged Troubles crimes. Here's what they said:

    Boris Johnson: "Nobody thinks that people should get away with crimes. What we’re saying is that people should be protected from unfair vexatious prosecutions when there’s no new evidence to be found and those positions I think are wholly compatible".

    Leo Varadkar: "One of the strengths of this new agreement is that there is an agreed approach on legacy issues and how we can take them forward, building on Stormont House and some other previous agreements. It is going to be difficult; there is divided opinion on it. Certainly having the five parties working together here in Belfast is crucial and they will very much have the support of the two governments as well".

    Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar at Stormont
  7. 'We are going to beef up and deepen cooperation'published at 15:07 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

    Prime minister Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar say north-south and east-west cooperation will now deepen.

    Mr Johnson said: "The friendship that always existed, the opportunity now is to develop even more east-west cooperation and links and that is what we are going to do."

    Mr Varadkar agreed and added: "The Good Friday Agreement is working again. North-south cooperation is going to resume. We are going to beef up and deepen cooperation."

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar
  8. Just a little glimpse of the leaders...published at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

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  9. Back to business at the Assemblypublished at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

    Meanwhile, the order paper, external has been published for Tuesday's sitting of the assembly.

    It involves the establishment of nine statutory committees and the appointments of chairpersons and deputy chairpersons.

    There will also be appointments to the Assembly Commission and a principal deputy speaker.

    Parliament BuildingsImage source, Getty Images
  10. Who will be first to reach for the biscuits?published at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

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  11. 'Mountain to climb'published at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

    Jayne McCormack
    BBC News NI

    We’ll never know exactly what the new ministers said to Boris Johnson as they met him inside Stormont Castle - but one thing’s for sure - money talks.

    The government has been tight-lipped when it comes to revealing how much it’s prepared to stump up for Stormont this time, but there are rumours of another few billion pounds coming our way.

    The executive has a mountain to climb in terms of tackling waiting lists, school budgets and roads projects, with ministers relying on a big pot of money to take the necessary decisions.

    Asked about the exact figure, Boris Johnson said it wasn’t “just about money”: an answer that might set alarm bells ringing.

    The party leaders will want to ensure the government doesn’t go back on its word, so they’ll be meeting Julian Smith at some point on Monday to go over the final details of the deal.

  12. New infrastructure minister will use electric car 'as much as possible'published at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

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  13. Leo Varadkar says good to discuss new Stormont deal with PMpublished at 13:55 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

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  14. The taoiseach has arrived at Stormontpublished at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

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  15. 'Politicians have stepped up and shown leadership'published at 13:24 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

    Media caption,

    The UK government will "strongly support" the new Stormont executive, says Boris Johnson

  16. Strong words from former executive press secretarypublished at 13:22 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

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  17. What about checks on NI-GB goods?published at 13:17 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

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  18. Executive to meet SoS later about moneypublished at 13:17 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

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  19. What about healthcare?published at 13:16 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

    The PM says there was a "certain amount of conversation about funding" but did not get into details.

    He said priorities were "improving peoples' healthcare, making sure we have fantastic schools and making sure our streets are safe".

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  20. DUP leader says it is 'good to welcome' Mr Johnsonpublished at 13:08 Greenwich Mean Time 13 January 2020

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