Northern Ireland’s new Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill ‘disputes’ Irish union, insisting it is ‘decades’ away UK News

Michelle O’Neill, the first nationalist to be appointed to the First Minister’s Office at Stormont, also told Sky News that her appointment marks a “historic day that truly represents a new dawn”.

Northern Ireland’s new prime minister told Sky News he “absolutely disagrees” with the British government’s insistence that a referendum on a united Ireland is decades away.

Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill, the first nationalist to hold the job, described her appointment at Stormont as “an historic day that truly represents a new dawn”.

In a document outlining the DUP’s rationale for a power-sharing return, the UK government said there was “no realistic prospect of a border check”.

But Mr O’Neill said: “I will absolutely challenge what the British government says in that document, insofar as my election as prime minister is indicative of the changes that are taking place on this island.”

“That’s a good thing. I think this change will benefit all of us, so it’s a healthy thing.

“We believe we are in a decade of opportunity, but we equally believe we can do two things at the same time.

“We can share power, stabilize it, work together every day in public services, and pursue equally legitimate aspirations at the same time.

“So many things are changing. All the old norms, the nature of this state, the fact that a nationalist republican was never meant to be prime minister. All of this speaks to change. “There is,” she added.

Mr O’Neill grew up in the ‘murder triangle’ of County Tyrone. Her father was a prisoner of the IRA and her cousin was shot dead by the SAS.

But she broke with republican tradition by using the term “Northern Ireland” in her acceptance speech, vowing to be the “first minister for everyone”.

“I am a person who wants to be a unifier, a person who wants to unite people.

“We’ve had a difficult past, a tumultuous past. A lot of harm has been caused in the past, but I think it’s very important, and here in 2024, and we Having just celebrated the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement last year, we are very much looking to the future.

“I hope I can represent the future. As someone who wants to work with all communities, I believe I can represent the future.

“I am clearly a republican, a proud republican, but I also want to speak to people who identify as Irish republicans, but also those who identify as British or as trade unionists. I think it’s really, really important to look at them and let them know that I respect their values, “I respect their culture.” ”

Asked whether her pledge meant she would consider joining the Protestant Orange Order’s march, she said: “I will consider all invitations that come my way.”

“I hope I get an invitation. I want to step into territory where republicanism has not gone before,” he added.

Michelle O’Neill’s full interview will be broadcast with Trevor Phillips on Sky News from 8.30am on Sunday morning.