UUP Welcomes 'Useful' Meeting With Rishi Sunak

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has welcomed a "useful" meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as NI's MLA's return to work for the first time in two years.

Speaking following the meeting, UUP leader, Doug Beattie, said: "The opportunity to meet and chat with the Prime Minister was a useful way of bringing to an end the saga of having no devolved government for the last two years. However, that is not the end of the issues facing Northern Ireland; instead, it is just the beginning of those deep-rooted challenges.

"To that end, I pressed the Prime Minister on a number of issues. 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. 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.

"Having shown real political courage and taken on the Health portfolio, it is clear we have hit the ground running, but we need to raise issues that are less well understood as we deliver the main outcomes. To that end, I raised the issue of the state-backed indemnity insurance for GPs presently in operation in England and Wales. My ask was that GPs in Northern Ireland, who have to take out their own insurance, be given access to the English and Welsh schemes.

"There are also practical ways of dealing with the waiting lists that continue to grow in Northern Ireland. A previous Government Secretary of State for Health – Steve Barclay MP – offered to meet Scots and Welsh health Ministers to assist with waiting lists. My ask is that our new Health Minister – Robin Swann MLA – now has the same discussions with the government ministers. We would also like early discussions between the government and the Health department on mutual aid.

"These 'grip and grin' sessions are part of political life, and I am genuinely glad to see our Prime Minister here in Northern Ireland. However, I will continue to remind him; it cannot be a 'fire and forget' policy. There needs to be long-term engagement with our fragile devolved government to ensure challenges are met and dealt with long before they become crises."

Green Party Welcomes Return Of Executive

The Green Party NI has welcomed the return of new Executive's, with party leader, Mal O'Hara, wishing the First and Deputy First Ministers "good luck in their new roles".

Mr O'Hara said: "Today is a very welcome return for a new Executive in Northern Ireland. The significance of this moment for nationalists and republicans can not go unacknowledged and I wish the First and Deputy First Ministers good luck in their new roles. This moment crystalises us as a collection of minorities. I sincerely hope that we see governance underpinned by respect for all.

"There is much work for the incoming Ministers. A fair deal for Public sector workers, investing in and delivering world class public services, addressing Northern Ireland's shameful environmental record and the housing crises are key pressing priorities. Much damage has been done with the absence of an Executive in five of the last seven years. I genuinely hope that this will be a new departure in stable and good governance for Northern Ireland.

"This is the first Assembly without Green MLAs since 2007 and I have no doubt the assembly will be weaker for it. Our record of delivering life changing legislation, improving how departments work together and scrutinising decisions stands for itself. While we won't be physically in the chamber for now, we will be watching and ensuring to keep the feet to the fire of those that have promised prosperity and social and environmental justice."

SF Calls For Meeting With Robin Swann On Challenges Facing Health And Social Care

Sinn Féin's health spokesperson, Linda Dillon, has called for an urgent meeting with new Health Minister Robin Swann, to discuss the challenges facing health and social care.

The party's health spokesperson said: "I want to wish Robin Swann well in his new role as health minister as he prepares to take on the huge challenges facing our health service.

"I hope to meet with the new health minister at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss what urgent work can be done to fix our health service.

"Among the issues I want to raise with him is the pressing issue of fair pay for health and social care workers. They are entitled to this and should be paid as soon as possible.

"I look forward to working together with the health minister to deliver the much-needed transformation our health and social care services desperately need."