The first and deputy first ministers are speaking outside Stormont Castle.

Click play at the top of this page to watch it live.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tells BBC Political Editor Chris Mason that the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive is "an enormous cause for optimism".

He says "lots of people thought that this wouldn’t ever be possible".

"It was important to me – it’s something I’ve been working on ever since the Windsor Framework and over the last year.

Sunak adds: “Jeffrey Donaldson deserves enormous praise for his bravery and his leadership.

“All the other parties in Northern Ireland in particular for their patience over the past year.

“The Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris has really worked hard at this.

“But collectively I’m really just delighted for the people here in Northern Ireland.”.

Thank you for staying with us as we continue our coverage of today's developments at Stormont.

Thank you for joining our live coverage of the visits of Rishi Sunak and Leo Varadkar to Stormont.

We are taking a brief pause to return later this afternoon when the Northern Ireland Executive meets at Stormont Castle.

There is continuing coverage of events on the BBC News NI website.

Enda McClafferty
BBC News NI political editor

Image source, PA Media

It was a day for the optics but there was one set piece moment missing.

There was no joint news conference with the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

They did have a conversation but no show of unity as joint guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement.

Both leaders deny any talk of a rift but there is unease in London about Dublin muscling in on the prime minister's finest moment so far.

At last Rishi Sunak could fully cash in on his greatest achievement in restoring devolution - now was not the day to share the credit.

Plus relations between the governments have soured over the UK Troubles legacy act now being challenged in the courts by the Irish government.

This was also a day about legacy, the political legacies of both leaders each looking for their place in history.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood says today has been a “good day” after “an historic weekend”.

He adds his party is "excited" to be in opposition.

Asked about the suspension of Justin McNulty, an SDLP MLA, Eastwood says “that’s all part of politics”.

McNulty attended the first sitting of the Assembly on Saturday but left to attend a GAA match as manager of Laois.

Eastwood says he expects 100% from his MLAs but adds that “the door is open for Justin to come back in if he wants”.

He adds being an MLA is a full-time job and “the two positions aren’t compatible”.

The taoiseach says the Irish government would be willing to use money from the Shared Island Fund to help Northern Ireland, and that he can coordinate that with the Northern Ireland secretary and the new Executive.

However, when asked about constitutional change, Mr Varadkar shuts the question down.

"Today really is about marking the fact that the Good Friday Agreement, which we voted for in big numbers north and south is now functioning again, the assembly is operating, the Executive and hopefully the North-South bodies and ministerial councils soon.

Image source, Press Eye/PA

Varadkar is also asked about his reaction to the command paper that went before Westminster last week to restore the institutions.

He says he has some reservations, particularly in response to the language used in regard to an all-island economy.

"I see the future of the economy here as being very bright," he says.

"I think that Northern Ireland has a great opportunity now to benefit from trade and economic growth and investment coming from all parts of the world and I'm keen to work with the new minsters on that."

You can stay across the latest developments on today's events at Stormont on BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback.

Click play at the top of this page to watch William Crawley and his guests in the studio.

Varadkar says the priority for the incoming Executive is the day-to-day concerns of people.

Mentioning Northern Ireland's long waiting lists, economic issues and public sector pay, he says the first and deputy first ministers, and other Executive ministers are "keen to get into their briefs".

He adds the Irish government is "here to help".

Image source, Press Eye/PA

The taoiseach continues that he has a sense of confidence the executive will not collapse again.

However, Varadkar stops short of saying there should be reformed institutions to prevent this.

The Taoiseach says that he and Rishi Sunak had a "very good meeting" on Monday morning.

"We're keen to think about the future and work on North-South co-operation, but also East-West co-operation which is very important," Leo Varadkar adds.

Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar says he is privileged to be at Stormont on a "historic day".

Earlier, he met his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak, as well as First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, the Executive and the opposition.

Speaking in Stormont's Great Hall, he thanks those who made the restoration possible, and congratulates the new leaders in their roles.

Varadkar says the Irish government pledges to do everything it can to help the Executive be successful.

Leo Varadkar is addressing the media at Parliament Buildings after meeting ministers at Stormont Castle.

You can watch this live by clicking play at the top of this page.

Asked about the government's current relationship with the Irish government, Sunak says Ireland will "always be a close, valued partner and friend of the UK's".

However, he addresses the divisive issue of legacy. The Irish government is to begin a legal challenge against the UK government over its decision to offer immunity for Troubles-era crimes.

"While we deeply regret the decision the Irish government made on legacy - it's important we continue to cooperate where we can," he says.

Image source, PA Media

There's just about time for a quick ‘huddle’ at the primary school the PM is visiting with eager waiting media.

Rishi Sunak says today has been a moment many people thought wouldn't be seen, so there's cause for “optimism”.

He moves on to the matter of the new deal struck with the DUP. The DUP says that there's no possibility of divergence from Great Britain in the future.

The PM is asked about ”mixed messages” and the possibility of Northern Ireland being on a different page than the rest of the UK, as NI Secretary Chris Heaton Harris says divergence is possible.

"We've worked very had and succeeded in protecting NI's place in our union and built on what we achieved with the Windsor Framework to ensure the smooth flow of trade in the UK and all the benefits that are there as a result of Brexit can be seized," the PM replies.

The Ulster Unionist leader, Doug Beattie, says he pressed the Prime Minister for investment in the north-west when they met this morning.

"Firstly, investment and economic stimulus for the north west; it is important that this region is not left out of the overall plans contained in the government’s latest commitments," he continues.

"They deserve more attention, not less.

"This includes ensuring that enhanced investment zones, which have been promised by the government, take into account the strategic positioning of Foyle Ports and Harbours as well as other locations."

Image source, DUP

It was smiles all around for the Democratic Unionist Party as its leadership team was snapped earlier with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Northern Ireland secretary.

Posting on X, external, the party said it is "always good" to outline its priorities to the PM.

Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar leaves Stormont Castle after meeting Executive ministers.

Pupils at Glencraig Integrated Primary School have had the opportunity to ask questions during Rishi Sunak's visit to the Holywood school.

Among those which could have been posed are whether Larry the Downing Street cat is well behaved and which football team he supports.

Brendan Hughes
BBC News NI political reporter

Among the arrivals for meetings at Stormont Castle earlier was Julian Smith, the former Northern Ireland secretary.

He was a key figure in restoring Stormont power-sharing in 2020 after a three-year hiatus, with the parties then agreeing the New Decade, New Approach deal.

Smith is no longer Northern Ireland secretary, but he is regarded as having an important hand behind the scenes in the government's efforts to revive the institutions this time as well.

While the current secretary of state, Chris Heaton-Harris, may be doing the photo calls today, Smith is expected to be keeping a close eye on how the new Stormont Executive fares.

After leaving Stormont, Rishi Sunak travels to Holywood, County Down, where he is meeting pupils at Glencraig Integrated Primary School.

Image source, PA Media