07/05/2026
Taoiseach Visits Belfast to Mark €700m Enterprise Fleet Deal
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Belfast today, 7 May, for a comprehensive programme of meetings and events aimed at strengthening all-island cooperation. A primary highlight of the visit is a joint event at the new Grand Central Station to commemorate the signing of a €700 million contract for a state-of-the-art fleet of Enterprise trains.
The Taoiseach's itinerary also focuses on civic and economic engagement, featuring a meeting with Northern Ireland business leaders and a visit to Women's Aid. Later in the day, he will travel to Stormont for a series of bilateral discussions with local political figures.
In the evening, the Taoiseach will deliver the 2026 Lord David Trimble Lecture at Queen's University Belfast. The visit coincides with the release of the Shared Island Initiative 2025 Report. Speaking ahead of the visit, the Taoiseach said: "I am pleased to be returning to Belfast. My visit includes multiple opportunities to hear directly from political, business and civic leaders and to discuss ongoing and evolving all-island priorities which benefit us all.
"I am also pleased to be delivering the Lord David Trimble Lecture in Queen's University. David played a critical role in the achievement of the Good Friday Agreement. The principles and purpose of the Agreement remain central to what my Government does and how we foster relationships across these islands.
"I am committed to continuing to work toward reconciliation and mutual trust, as we collectively set out to do in 1998, including through the Shared Island Initiative. Today also sees the publication of the Shared Island Initiative 2025 Report."
The Taoiseach's itinerary also focuses on civic and economic engagement, featuring a meeting with Northern Ireland business leaders and a visit to Women's Aid. Later in the day, he will travel to Stormont for a series of bilateral discussions with local political figures.
In the evening, the Taoiseach will deliver the 2026 Lord David Trimble Lecture at Queen's University Belfast. The visit coincides with the release of the Shared Island Initiative 2025 Report. Speaking ahead of the visit, the Taoiseach said: "I am pleased to be returning to Belfast. My visit includes multiple opportunities to hear directly from political, business and civic leaders and to discuss ongoing and evolving all-island priorities which benefit us all.
"I am also pleased to be delivering the Lord David Trimble Lecture in Queen's University. David played a critical role in the achievement of the Good Friday Agreement. The principles and purpose of the Agreement remain central to what my Government does and how we foster relationships across these islands.
"I am committed to continuing to work toward reconciliation and mutual trust, as we collectively set out to do in 1998, including through the Shared Island Initiative. Today also sees the publication of the Shared Island Initiative 2025 Report."
Latest Northern Ireland News
07 May 2026
Taoiseach Visits Belfast to Mark €700m Enterprise Fleet Deal
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Belfast today, 7 May, for a comprehensive programme of meetings and events aimed at strengthening all-island cooperation. A primary highlight of the visit is a joint event at the new Grand Central Station to commemorate the signing of a €700 million contract for a state-of-the-art fleet of Enterprise trains.
Taoiseach Visits Belfast to Mark €700m Enterprise Fleet Deal
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Belfast today, 7 May, for a comprehensive programme of meetings and events aimed at strengthening all-island cooperation. A primary highlight of the visit is a joint event at the new Grand Central Station to commemorate the signing of a €700 million contract for a state-of-the-art fleet of Enterprise trains.
07 May 2026
SDLP Opposition Criticises Sinn Féin and DUP Over Scrutiny Measures
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA has issued a sharp rebuke to Sinn Féin and the DUP after the two parties voted down a series of amendments to the Fiscal Council Bill.
SDLP Opposition Criticises Sinn Féin and DUP Over Scrutiny Measures
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA has issued a sharp rebuke to Sinn Féin and the DUP after the two parties voted down a series of amendments to the Fiscal Council Bill.
07 May 2026
Economy Minister Concludes Investment Mission to United States
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has completed a strategic visit to Washington and Maryland, where she and Invest NI led a delegation of six Northern Ireland businesses at the SelectUSA Investment Summit.
Economy Minister Concludes Investment Mission to United States
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has completed a strategic visit to Washington and Maryland, where she and Invest NI led a delegation of six Northern Ireland businesses at the SelectUSA Investment Summit.
07 May 2026
Multi-Million Pound AI Investment to Transform NI Classrooms
Education Minister Paul Givan has confirmed the launch of system-aware generative AI tools for schools across Northern Ireland, backed by a £10.7 million investment.
Multi-Million Pound AI Investment to Transform NI Classrooms
Education Minister Paul Givan has confirmed the launch of system-aware generative AI tools for schools across Northern Ireland, backed by a £10.7 million investment.
06 May 2026
PSNI Issues Formal Apology Following Report into Katie Simpson Investigation
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has formally responded to the independent review conducted by Dr Jan Melia into the death of Katie Simpson and the subsequent investigation of Jonathan Creswell.
PSNI Issues Formal Apology Following Report into Katie Simpson Investigation
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has formally responded to the independent review conducted by Dr Jan Melia into the death of Katie Simpson and the subsequent investigation of Jonathan Creswell.
06 May 2026
Justice Minister Publishes Katie Simpson Review Report
Justice Minister Naomi Long has officially published the report of the Katie Simpson Review. The review was commissioned to examine the circumstances and investigative response following the death of the young woman.
Justice Minister Publishes Katie Simpson Review Report
Justice Minister Naomi Long has officially published the report of the Katie Simpson Review. The review was commissioned to examine the circumstances and investigative response following the death of the young woman.
06 May 2026
Health Minister Announces Reforms to Childcare Ratios and Vetting Procedures
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced a series of significant updates to childcare regulations in Northern Ireland, focusing on GP health assessments for staff and permanent changes to adult-to-child ratios.
Health Minister Announces Reforms to Childcare Ratios and Vetting Procedures
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced a series of significant updates to childcare regulations in Northern Ireland, focusing on GP health assessments for staff and permanent changes to adult-to-child ratios.
06 May 2026
Major Investment In L'Derry Road Improvement Works
A fresh investment in Derry's road infrastructure will see a key stretch of Seymour Gardens undergo significant resurfacing. The project focuses on a 320-metre section of the road, starting from the Sperrin Park junction and extending through to the Kinsale Park junction.
Major Investment In L'Derry Road Improvement Works
A fresh investment in Derry's road infrastructure will see a key stretch of Seymour Gardens undergo significant resurfacing. The project focuses on a 320-metre section of the road, starting from the Sperrin Park junction and extending through to the Kinsale Park junction.
06 May 2026
Social Housing Starts Rise Following Record £210m Investment
A £210 million building programme has led to 1,765 new social housing starts across Northern Ireland during the 2025/26 period. This represents a 17% rise in delivery compared to the previous year, following what has been described as the largest ever investment in the Social Housing Development Programme.
Social Housing Starts Rise Following Record £210m Investment
A £210 million building programme has led to 1,765 new social housing starts across Northern Ireland during the 2025/26 period. This represents a 17% rise in delivery compared to the previous year, following what has been described as the largest ever investment in the Social Housing Development Programme.
06 May 2026
DAERA Minister Launches Public Consultation
The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has opened a public consultation regarding the next stage of proposals intended to strengthen animal welfare protections across Northern Ireland.
DAERA Minister Launches Public Consultation
The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has opened a public consultation regarding the next stage of proposals intended to strengthen animal welfare protections across Northern Ireland.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright spells and occasional sunny intervals along with some showers, these possibly on the heavy side in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:There will be a mixture of clear intervals and scattered showers, these more frequent in the evening before turning isolated overnight as winds fall light. Minimum temperature 6 °C.

