The Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont met following a two-year hiatus after the collapse of power-sharing
Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Féin's deputy leader, makes history as the first nationalist to hold the role of first minister at the assembly
The party nominated the first minister because it won the most seats in the assembly election in May 2022
The DUP, as the largest unionist party, nominated Emma Little-Pengelly as deputy first minister
On Wednesday, the UK government published a deal which paved the way for power-sharing to return in Northern Ireland
It came after the DUP ended its boycott of Stormont after agreeing a new deal on post-Brexit trade rules
Following the election of Edwin Poots as speaker, we will shortly be moving on to the election of the deputy speakers.
After that we will move on to the nominations for First Minister and deputy First Minister, and then the filling of other ministerial roles.
Edwin Poots says he looks forward to working with everyone and says he is delighted that this institution is back up and running again after a two-year hiatus.
"There is so much to do out there for the public and I trust we will all put our shoulders to the wheel to do that to the best of our ability.
"I truly hope this assembly is never suspended again."
Edwin Poots says he will carry out his duties as speaker which will hopefully see the continuation of the "smooth running of his house" with "integrity and impartiality".
He acknowledges outgoing speaker Alex Maskey for his work in the role over the last four years in sometimes difficult circumstances.
It is recorded that 76 assembly members voted, of which 67 voted aye.
There were 33 nationalists who voted of which 25 voted aye.
Twenty-six unionists voted of which 25 voted aye.
Seventeen others voted of which 17 voted aye.
Former DUP leader Edwin Poots has been elected as the new speaker of the assembly.
The South Belfast MLA was first elected to the assembly in 1998.
He has also served as the minister of health and the minister of agriculture.
Image source, PA Media
Brendan Hughes
BBC News NI political reporter
Three parties have put forward potential speakers for the new assembly - but the result could be a foregone conclusion.
The convention has been that the post is rotated between unionists and nationalists.
Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey - an Irish republican - is the outgoing speaker.
So it is therefore expected the larger parties will agree to support a unionist to hold the post this time.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the largest unionist grouping in the assembly, has nominated former leader Edwin Poots - making him most likely for the speaker role.
The lobbies have been cleared and Assembly members are voting on proposals for a new speaker.
Gerry Carroll of People Before Profit says after two years of "divisive posturing by the DUP", working class people are in no mood "for the cynical fanfare surrounding Stormont's resurrection".
He says: "If I was the DUP sitting here today I would be utterly embarrassed".
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has given a humorous tribute to outgoing Speaker Alex Maskey.
The east Antrim MLA made reference to Mr Maskey's boxing roots, saying 'if he misses sparring in the chamber too much, perhaps he can return to his boxing roots. I'd say that perhaps we won a few more political fights than he did, but we will leave that up to the history books and the writers to decide'.
"One thing we can be sure about is history will remember him as a fair and impartial Speaker, who steered this chamber through many difficult and momentous occasions."
TUV leader Jim Allister says that today is "a day of glee and gloating for republicanism".
He says the DUP leadership has returned to the assembly after "it's seismic climbdown" over Northern Ireland's position is post-Brexit trading arrangements between the UK and EU.
"Northern Ireland still remains under the EU customs code," he says.
He adds that NI is "ruled in significant part by foreign laws" and that "millions of pounds" are being spent on erecting border posts between GB and NI.
He accuses DUP MLA and nominee for speaker Edwin Poots of falling for the "irresistible lure of office for those whose principals are expendable".
The DUP's Paul Givan says he is pleased there is a stable and sustainable position to elect a speaker.
"I am glad we have got to this stage, it has been a long road to get here," he adds.
UUP Leader Doug Beattie is on his feet to speak in favour of his party colleague Steve Aiken as speaker.
He thanks outgoing speaker Alex Maskey for "all that he has done" during a "very difficult stint" in his role as speaker.
He says that the people of NI have "really suffered" in the absence of the assembly.
He says members now have a "herculean task... to improve the lives of the people".
Mr Beattie says his party will work with whoever is appointed to the speakership and ministerial roles "to make this place the best that it can possibly be".
Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political correspondent
The first order of business for members (MLAs) when they enter the assembly chamber will be to elect a new speaker - this must happen before anything else.
Once the speaker is elected, the parties entitled to jointly lead the executive - the body that makes decisions and policy in Northern Ireland - will make their nominations.
For the first time, Sinn Féin will nominate a first minister because it won the most seats in the assembly election in May 2022.
The DUP, as the largest unionist party, will nominate a deputy first minister for the first time-it is widely anticipated that Emma Little-Pengelly will be nominated but the DUP on Friday refused to confirm that.
Although the first and deputy first ministers are joint offices and both hold equal power, Michelle O'Neill becoming the first-ever republican first minister of Northern Ireland will mark a symbolic moment.
Sinn Féin's Sinéad Ennis praises outgoing speaker Alex Maskey.
She says her party colleague's decision to retire from front-line politics is a huge loss to this institution.
The former DUP leader Edwin Poots, the SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone, and UUP MLA Steve Aiken have all been nominated for the role of speaker of the assembly.
All three men have accepted the nominations.
Alan Chambers opens proceedings at the assembly.
"Today will be the day that I can finally pick up my P45, and end my career as acting speaker," he says.
The politicians have taken their seats and the sitting of the assembly has now begun.
You can watch proceedings by clicking the play button at the top of the page.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says today is a good day for Northern Ireland as his party gathers in the Great Hall at Stormont.
He says it has been a challenging journey over the last two years.
He says he believes the future can be one where Northern Ireland prospers where "Northern Ireland is stable and at peace with itself".
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie says "barring any real dramas" the assembly will be back up and running after almost two years.
Mr Beattie says the people of Northern Ireland "have suffered greatly" in the absence of a power-sharing executive and says it is a shame that people have been without a devolved government here.
He says by having Stormont restored it will help with making "Northern Ireland work for all of its people".
"Today is about looking forward," he says.
Alliance leader Naomi Long says today is a hugely important day for the people of Northern Ireland.
She says she hopes there will be a move from the "drama on the hill" to "delivery for the people outside the building".
She confirms the party will be nominating ministers for the Executive.