Transcribe your podcast
[00:00:00]

What do you think is on the agenda, David? Good morning.

[00:00:03]

Good morning, Kay. Yes, things palpably more relaxed at Stormont Castle this morning than for recent Prime Ministerial visits. Sirkir Starmer stepping out of the vehicle with his folder tucked under his arm to receive a warm smile from Northern Ireland's first Minister, Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, the first Irish Nationalist to hold that office. She was joined, of course, by the Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengaley from the Democratic Unionist Party. So two women from opposite ends of the political spectrum, sharing power at the helm of Northern Ireland's devolved government. Sirkir, of course, was also joined by his new Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Ben. They've gone inside, and there is a lot on the agenda because with a power-sharing coalition, you have a vast array of differing aspirations around how Northern Ireland is funded, around how a post-Brexit trading concern should be addressed. Because of Sinn Féin's stunning electoral success, now winning most Northern Ireland seats in Westminster for the first time, that constitutional question has to be on the agenda, too. Is it time to set down a timeline for a referendum on Irish unity? After meeting with the first and Deputy First Minister here at Stormont Castle, the Prime Minister will head to Parliament buildings where we understand he will meet with the leaders of other political parties.

[00:01:24]

I think there is a hope that all of this signals a new relationship between Downing Street and the Northern Ireland because Sirkir Starmer, of course, has some knowledge and experience of the unique sensitivities of this place. He was a human rights adviser to the Police Service of Northern Ireland for five years. His family holidays in County Donegal. They describe it as a very special place. He might wish he's on holiday in County Donegal by the time he's finished dealing with all of those different political aspirations after all these meetings in Northern Ireland this morning.

[00:01:57]

I think we've just seen some images, actually, of the leaders meeting. I'm not sure if we can eavesdrop into what they're saying. Let's see if we can, David.

[00:02:10]

I don't know what I told you. I think I'm talking about. I'm not going to wear it. But we I'll extend it to at least the end of July and then back to the beginning of September. When are you in recess?

[00:02:20]

When we had a recess last week.

[00:02:22]

Yeah, because you're a little earlier on. We still have some key piece of business for the government, for example.

[00:02:28]

We may have to do a recall for some of that type of- If you need to recall- If we need to, yes. Probably over July. If it's all possible rather than 8:00 in August acknowledging.

[00:02:41]

Then your fact- Yes, I think if I heard correctly, the Prime Minister used the word... Yes, if I heard correctly, Kay, the Prime Minister used the word reset, which is a word we're hearing a lot in terms of this tour of the Four Nations, because, of course, he's attempting to establish a new relationship with Scotland, with Wales, and with Northern Ireland, because the Prime Minister, of course, is following a Tories government with a difficult record in terms of its relationship with the other nations, not least here in Northern Ireland. First Minister Michelle O'Neill, who's chatting with Sir Keir Starmer as we speak, accused the Tories government of playing fast and loose with the Good Friday Agreement, particularly in relation to the Tories relationship with the DUP. You will remember that it was the DUP who propped up Theresa May's minority Tories government back in 2017, following a confidence and supply deal to the tune of £1.5 billion. Also because of Brexit, of course, because Northern Ireland is in the unique position of sharing a land border with the Republic of Ireland, which remains in the EU. There have been lots of complications around post-Brexit trading, and that is going to be one of the issues on the agenda today as he chats with the First and Deputy First Deputy First ministers and other political leaders in Northern Ireland.