February 5, 2024, 16:14
Rishi Sunak visits Northern Ireland.
Photo: Alamy
Rishi Sunak has urged Northern Ireland’s politicians to “focus on the everyday things that matter to people rather than constitutional reform” as calls for a united Ireland grow.
The Prime Minister spoke after the new Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin leader Michelle O’Neill, said a referendum on whether to incorporate Ireland into a united Ireland could be held within 10 years.
Mr Sunak met with Stormont party leaders and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Monday, after Northern Ireland’s executive was reformed on Saturday after a two-year hiatus.
He told the broadcaster: “This morning I had a very constructive meeting with the executive and political leaders across Stormont. Northern Ireland’s politicians are once again in charge and making decisions on behalf of the people. “This is a historic and important day for this country.” , that’s exactly right.
“Now, with our new contract, they will have more funding and more powers than ever before to serve families and businesses across Northern Ireland. It’s everyone’s priority.”
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“This is not a constitutional amendment, this is about implementing everyday things that are important to people.
Mr Sunak said his post-Brexit Windsor Framework Agreement had succeeded in protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the Union.
He said: “We have worked very hard and believe we have succeeded in building on what we have achieved under the Windsor Framework to protect Northern Ireland’s place in the Union and ensure the facilitation of trade within the UK. “I’m working on it,” he said.
“And to ensure that we reap all the benefits that result from Brexit.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks to the media during a visit to Northern Ireland following the reinstatement of the power-sharing executive during a visit to Glencraig Primary School in Holywood, County Down. Photo date: Monday, February 5, 2024.
Photo: Alamy
“This is the deal we have, this is what the Windsor Framework delivers, and all of our conversations are that not only will people start to see the benefits very quickly, but executives will stand up. We believe it is critical that the democratic safeguards we negotiated as part of the Windsor Framework are now operational.
“The most important thing is that the people of Northern Ireland are responsible for their own destiny and, thanks in particular to the Stormont Brake, the executive who stands up can exercise that power.”
Belfast, UK, May 2, 2024 Rishi Sunak and Leo Varadkar visit Stormont and meet local politicians Credit: HeadlineX/Alamy.
Photo: Alamy
The executive, led by Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill and deputy leader by the DUP’s Emma Littlepengelly, held its first meeting on Monday to begin work to tackle Northern Ireland’s strained public finances.
Leaders have already written to the Prime Minister calling for an urgent discussion on long-term funding stability for public services.
Ms O’Neill made history by being appointed the region’s first nationalist Prime Minister.
These schemes were reinstated following an agreement between Mr Sunak’s government and the DUP to address union members’ concerns about post-Brexit trade deals, including the passage of new legislation at Westminster.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak speaks to students.
Photo: Alamy
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On Sunday, the British Prime Minister visited the headquarters of the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance Service in County Antrim and said Mr Stormont’s return represented a “bright future for people”.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (left) visits the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance headquarters in Lisburn.
Photo: Alamy
The UK government has proposed a £3.3bn package to stabilize the region’s finances and settle public sector pay claims, but the executive will ask Mr Sunak for more funding.
Mr Sunak said the proposal represented a “generous and fair settlement”, adding: “The important thing is that it is sustainable.”
“It’s about ensuring that Northern Ireland’s finances are sustainable in the long term. I think this approach that we’ve taken will really benefit everyone here.”
The newly formed Executive has already written to the Prime Minister asking for an urgent discussion on the long-term funding stability for delivering public services.
Photo: Alamy
“And it’s the right thing to do to rebuild our government and get our local politicians to focus on their priorities, including public services.
“For far too long we haven’t had a devolved government up and running here. But now that we have it, government can start focusing on providing services for everyone. ” he added.
However, a letter from all Stormont cabinet members to the Prime Minister said the current proposed fiscal policy “does not provide the foundations for the Executive to deliver sustainable public services and public finances”. There is.