Northern Ireland has witnessed a historic political change with the restoration of its devolved government after a two-year hiatus. Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill has been appointed as the first nationalist First Minister, marking a significant moment in the country's history. The Stormont Brake mechanism has been enacted, providing the Northern Ireland Assembly with a democratic safeguard. However, the functioning Stormont could prevent reunification. This development has been received with widespread reactions, including a statement from President Joe Biden, who hailed the return to power-sharing government as an 'important step'. The United States, through Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has welcomed the restoration, emphasizing its role in preserving peace and prosperity. The UK Government has expressed its commitment to ensuring Northern Ireland thrives, and political figures across the spectrum have congratulated the MLAs and ministers, urging them to work together for the benefit of all communities. Michelle O'Neill has contested the claim that Irish unity is 'decades' away and anticipates a border poll within 10 years.
'I'm somebody who wants to be a unifier'. New First Minister of Northern Ireland @moneillsf tells Senior Ireland Correspondent @skydavidblevins while she's a "proud Republican" she will respect Unionist values. #TrevorPhillips https://t.co/fhIHlpTGAF 📺 Sky 501 and YouTube https://t.co/8DboSA5yVT
Northern Ireland's newly appointed first minister @moneillsf says she "absolutely contests" the UK government's claim that Irish unity is decades away. O'Neill adds she anticipates a border poll within 10 years. #TrevorPhillips https://t.co/fhIHlpTGAF https://t.co/a90vuadt3L
Now & Then… a still from @fergalkeane47’s special report in last night’s @BBCNews I’m relieved to see our politicians return to Stormont and I look forward to seeing how Michelle O’Neill will lead this new government. It’s good news, but I’m also interested in all the things.. https://t.co/y1LhdnxkB0
👀 On Michelle O'Neill's claim there will be a referendum on a united Ireland within 10 years, education secretary Gillian Keegan says: "I don't want to speculate on that." https://t.co/zxOza95405
Watch Sunday Morning with @TrevorPTweets live to hear 👇 🔴 @moneillsf as she becomes Northern Ireland’s first nationalist first minister 🔴 Education Sec - @GillianKeegan 🔴 Shadow Culture Minister - @RhonddaBryant ➕ more #TrevorPhillips https://t.co/PgXmDpsuQs
"We're in the decade of opportunity." Watch the full interview with Northern Ireland's new first minister Michelle O'Neill on Sunday Morning With #TrevorPhillips. ⏰ 8:30am today 📱 https://t.co/iolhSBEm3G 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/RhffhtYbQ4
Sinn Fein says there WILL be a referendum on uniting Ireland within a DECADE after Michelle O'Neill is installed as First Minister at Stormont https://t.co/jueTlb1Czv https://t.co/PLRCzaEecf
Stormont’s first nationalist First Minister Michelle O’Neill has pledged to work with unionists to build a better future for Northern Ireland https://t.co/fPyEsGEbRQ
"We're in the decade of opportunity." Watch the full interview with Northern Ireland's new first minister Michelle O'Neill on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips from 8:30am. #TrevorPhillips 📱 https://t.co/iolhSBDOe8 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/4JdmsT5vBN
"We're in the decade of opportunity." Watch the full interview with Northern Ireland's new first minister Michelle O'Neill on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips. #TrevorPhillips ⏰ 8:30am 📱 https://t.co/iolhSBDOe8 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/VK0qgwIlP3
We welcome the restoration of the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. A stable, devolved government will help preserve peace and prosperity for the people of Northern Ireland.
The United States is committed to a brighter future for Northern Ireland. My statement on today’s restoration of devolved government in Belfast. https://t.co/cQoCOaA8m8
Northern Ireland's new first minister 'contests' claim Irish unity is 'decades' away Read more 🔗 https://t.co/515dSYL2pl
Biden hails return to power-sharing government in Northern Ireland https://t.co/uJFuVShpC9
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. https://t.co/oFwIDSC8Ro
#BREAKING Biden says return of power-sharing Northern Ireland government an 'important step' https://t.co/EPmtCIPZtw
📷 A pleasure to meet both the outgoing and newly elected Speakers of the restored NI Assembly today. The UK Government is fully committed to ensuring Northern Ireland thrives and I am delighted to see the return of elected representatives to Stormont. https://t.co/xoxS2VS4jk
I am honoured to take office as First Minister. I am committed to representing all our people and communities. Let us work together to build a brighter, better future for everyone. https://t.co/J6uM9msUd3
Delighted to be at Parliament Buildings today to witness democracy being restored through the nomination of ministers. A great day for the people of Northern Ireland and I look forward to working with all parties in the Executive. https://t.co/GgQRxP3SyN
👏Many congratulations to all MLAs and Northern Ireland ministers - I look forward to working with you https://t.co/AU0CsOOTnN
It is a historic day in Northern Ireland as the Assembly sits once more to determine its own future. I trust that this next chapter will restore hope and determine lasting peace, as well as address the needs of the people and communities of Northern Ireland.
I am honoured to address the Assembly on this day of historic change. As a First Minister for all, I am determined to work together with all parties to deliver for workers, families and all our communities. https://t.co/OwF6gH5mRP
The new First Minister @moneillsf making her first speech in the Assembly Chamber. https://t.co/O8U67tIVsW
Really good to see the N Ireland Assembly representatives back in the chamber at Stormont.
#BREAKING N.Ireland lawmakers restore power-sharing assembly after two-year hiatus https://t.co/Xz8rm9UXWM
This is a moment of huge democratic significance for Northern Ireland. It is two years to the day since power-sharing collapsed, and nearly 21 months since MLAs were elected. Today they will be able to return to the Assembly and establish an Executive.
‘Historic day’ as devolved government returns in Northern Ireland | ITV News https://t.co/Q8ccoTZ2Zz
"We look to our future. A future that I believe can be one where Northern Ireland prospers. Where NI is stable and at peace with itself." DUP Leader @J_Donaldson_MP speaks at Stormont as a power-sharing govt will return to Northern Ireland https://t.co/2Q2MyxnPgY 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/TyZ4QEXzUA
NI Assembly to elect new first minister as Stormont returns Live updates: https://t.co/pjqKJbXvS0 https://t.co/jaS9yMqnhK
The return of power-sharing at Stormont is good news. We still have different views on the constitutional future of Northern Ireland, and that debate will of course continue. But when Nationalists and Unionists want to make the place work - together - then everyone benefits. https://t.co/e0ZnIS7X4m
Northern Ireland gets a working government for the first time in two years, and a historic First Minister https://t.co/XpUWABDBhz
Northern Ireland government to be restored two years after collapse https://t.co/llMcLe6chR
📢 Coming up on Sunday Morning with @TrevorPTweets 👇 🔴 Education Sec - @GillianKeegan 🔴 Shadow Culture Minister - @RhonddaBryant 🔴 @moneillsf as she becomes Northern Ireland’s First Minister ➕ more #TrevorPhillips ⏰ 8:30am 📱 https://t.co/iolhSBDOe8 📺 Sky 501 and YT
Powersharing to return in NI with Michelle O’Neill as first minister https://t.co/CsPuyhewCR
A day of huge significance and symbolism in Northern Ireland. If you've come from there, live there or been there you've seen the potential of this part of the UK. Let's hope the constituency of peace and reconciliation David Trimble spoke of in his Nobel acceptable speech wins. https://t.co/TaaFeY3lwU
Devolved government will return in Northern Ireland, with Sinn Fein’s @moneillsf making history as the first nationalist first minister ✍️: Jonathan McCambridge https://t.co/R3i6CuyQVM
Northern Ireland assembly returns with first Sinn Fein leader https://t.co/J19YKM7wgw via @jenniduggan @livfletcher_ https://t.co/FrsJL6ajNY
In the 4.5 years I chaired Westminster’s NI Committee my affection for NI & her people only grew. Today is an important day in NI’s history. I want to wish all MLAs the best of luck. So much needs doing for NI’s communities. Today, a new chapter begins. It’s what the people want
🟢 Northern Ireland gets first Sinn Fein leader – but functioning Stormont could prevent reunification https://t.co/zgAM4vUyO7
I am proud to have the backing of the six biggest Labour unions. As a shop steward, a trade union lawyer and now as a Minister I have fought for a better deal for working people. As your First Minister, I would do the same. https://t.co/G4j6LU7ikX
Pleased to make into law the Stormont Brake mechanism – giving the Northern Ireland Assembly a powerful democratic safeguard. https://t.co/Yahg2Dqwbl
Northern Ireland gets first Sinn Fein leader – but functioning Stormont could prevent reunification https://t.co/rFkjvVtCb4
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill will be 'joint first minister', Jeffrey Donaldson suggests - https://t.co/OUPgySHApb