Rishi Sunak is to meet Michelle O’Neill after she became the first ever nationalist leader to assume the post of First Minister during a historic sitting of the Stormont Assembly.
Ms O’Neill assumed the role on Saturday after a two-year political impasse in Northern Ireland in what she called a “historic day”.
This marks Sunak’s 7th visit to the province since taking office in 2022 when Northern Ireland held its election after Sinn Féin won a majority of seats.
The Prime Minister will carry out community engagements, with Sunak also planning to speak specifically with those delivering public services, those supported by them, and their families.
On Monday, Sunak will likely continue with community engagements regarding the future of Northern Ireland, following last year’s marking of 25 years since the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
Sunak will also attend Stormont Castle, where he will be welcomed by the First Minister as well as the Deputy First Minister, the DUP’s Emma Little-Pengelly.
Stormont reconvened after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ended its boycott over post-Brexit trade rules, following a new Government deal which DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border.
“I do think it is a day of optimism and some hope out there for the wider public,” said Ms O’Neill, after a £3.3bn deal, including £600 million to settle public sector pay claims, was struck with the UK Government on the revival of Stormont.
A hailing “a new dawn” for Northern Ireland, Ms O’Neill said: “Wherever we come from, whatever our aspirations, we can and must build our future together.
“We must make power-sharing work because collectively, we are charged with leading and delivering for all our people, for every community.”
Ms O’Neill later told Sky News on Sunday that she believed there is a “decade of opportunity” ahead for Northern and when asked if this there would be a unity referendum in the next decade, Ms O’Neill said: “Yes. I believe we are in a decade of opportunity and there are so many things that are changing.”
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said she did not want to “speculate” on the possibility of a border poll in Northern Ireland.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, asked about the comments on Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, said: “I don’t want to speculate on that.
“What is actually fantastic is to see Stormont back up and running. It has been a long time and I know lots of people have been working towards this day.
Ms Keegan said she would not try and “second guess what will happen in Northern Irish politics”.
On the same programme, Shadow minister Chris Bryant said a border poll in Northern Ireland may “come at some point” after Ms O’Neill’s comments, adding: “You can never predict what is going to happen in the future just because of what happened in the past but, yes, that (a border poll) may come at some point, I don’t know.”
When asked whether there should be a poll, he said: “It is not for me to decide what should happen in Northern Ireland. That’s for the people of Northern Ireland.
“That is for the people of Northern Ireland to decide but, as I say, it depends on how the politicians play their hands over the next few years.”