This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63576250

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Rishi Sunak meeting Irish PM amid Stormont stalemate Rishi Sunak 'confident' of NI Protocol talks breakthrough
(about 1 hour later)
Rishi Sunak is the first prime minister to attend the summit since 2007Rishi Sunak is the first prime minister to attend the summit since 2007
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is meeting Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin following the latest meeting of the British-Irish Council. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he is confident that "with goodwill and pragmatism" a breakthrough can happen in negotiations over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The event is taking place in Blackpool on Thursday and Friday. He was speaking after talks with Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin following a meeting of the British-Irish Council.
Mr Sunak is the first prime minister to attend the summit since Gordon Brown in 2007. Mr Sunak said his focus was to find a "negotiated solution" with the EU.
He told the council that he was "determined to deliver" the restoration of power-sharing at Stormont. He was "pleased with the progress that we're making" on the protocol issue.
The British-Irish Council is made up of representatives from the UK and Irish governments, the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the governments of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. He also said he was "determined to deliver" the restoration of power-sharing at Stormont, which has not functioned since February.
It was created two decades ago by the Good Friday Agreement. That is because the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is refusing to take its place in the devolved government in protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The protocol is a part of the UK-EU Brexit deal that keeps Northern Ireland aligned with some EU trade rules.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that he and Mr Sunak had agreed there was a "window of opportunity" to resolve issues regarding the protocol.
He said it was clear that "the prime minister desires a negotiated resolution... that works".
What is the British-Irish Council?
The British-Irish Council summit is taking place in Blackpool on Thursday and Friday.
The council is made up of representatives from the UK and Irish governments, the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the governments of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.
There are no ministers in place in Northern Ireland, meaning the head of the civil service is attending instead
It was created two decades ago as a result of the Good Friday peace agreement.
Its stated aim is to "promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relations among the peoples of these islands".Its stated aim is to "promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relations among the peoples of these islands".
Mr Sunak was the first prime minister to attend a council summit since 2007.
It is the 38th summit and the first time a Conservative prime minister has attended.It is the 38th summit and the first time a Conservative prime minister has attended.
However the Stormont stalemate means there are no ministers in place from Northern Ireland to take part. What is happening at the summit?
The absence of an executive means Northern Ireland will be represented by head of the civil service, Jayne Brady.
Government pushes back Stormont election deadline
No Christmas election for Northern Ireland
The prime minister met First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford at the summit.The prime minister met First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford at the summit.
Also in attendance were Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove.Also in attendance were Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove.
However the Stormont stalemate means there are no ministers in place from Northern Ireland to take part.
The absence of an executive means Northern Ireland is being represented by Jayne Brady, the head of the civil service.
Rishi Sunak, who was accompanied by Michael Gove, met Nicola Sturgeon and Mark DrakefordRishi Sunak, who was accompanied by Michael Gove, met Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford
At the meeting Sunak called for the governments to work together in "shared interests".At the meeting Sunak called for the governments to work together in "shared interests".
"Let's deliver for all our people across these great islands and build a future defined not by division but by unity and hope," he said."Let's deliver for all our people across these great islands and build a future defined not by division but by unity and hope," he said.
The prime minister also reiterated his commitment to restoring the Northern Ireland Executive, and said he was "determined to deliver" to restore power-sharing.The prime minister also reiterated his commitment to restoring the Northern Ireland Executive, and said he was "determined to deliver" to restore power-sharing.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is now holding a separate meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is also attending the two-day event.
Moving parts On Wednesday he announced that he was extending the deadline for an executive to be formed at Stormont, and cutting the wages of MLAs.
He said that would buy "time and space" for negotiations between the UK and EU on the protocol.
Political summits often call for photo opportunities - this one is no different.Political summits often call for photo opportunities - this one is no different.
Amid recent warm exchanges aimed at improving Anglo-Irish relations, we'll witness a handshake between a new-ish PM still finding his feet in office, and a taoiseach about to leave office.Amid recent warm exchanges aimed at improving Anglo-Irish relations, we'll witness a handshake between a new-ish PM still finding his feet in office, and a taoiseach about to leave office.
That's because in just over a month's time, the coalition government arrangement in the Republic of Ireland means Micheál Martin will be replaced in the top job by Leo Varadkar.That's because in just over a month's time, the coalition government arrangement in the Republic of Ireland means Micheál Martin will be replaced in the top job by Leo Varadkar.
So while today is significant in that it's Rishi Sunak's first face-to-face meeting with the leader of the Irish government, the impending personnel change means another potential reset in relations.So while today is significant in that it's Rishi Sunak's first face-to-face meeting with the leader of the Irish government, the impending personnel change means another potential reset in relations.
That said the key issues the two governments face will remain the same - solve the protocol, solve the Stormont impasse.That said the key issues the two governments face will remain the same - solve the protocol, solve the Stormont impasse.
Northern Ireland will be discussed during the summit, but the deadlock and lack of sitting Stormont ministers mean local politicians won't be there to make their case directly to Rishi Sunak.Northern Ireland will be discussed during the summit, but the deadlock and lack of sitting Stormont ministers mean local politicians won't be there to make their case directly to Rishi Sunak.
Instead, Jayne Brady the head of the civil service - who is waiting for word about what the government will do regarding a budget for Stormont - will be the only senior representative from Northern Ireland.Instead, Jayne Brady the head of the civil service - who is waiting for word about what the government will do regarding a budget for Stormont - will be the only senior representative from Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is also attending the two-day summit.
On Wednesday, he announced he is extending the deadline for an executive to be formed at Stormont, and cutting the wages of MLAs.
He said this would buy "time and space" for negotiations between the UK and EU on the protocol.
He had also insisted he was "not overruled" by Number 10 from calling an election.
A 'test' for Sunak
It is expected that the taoiseach's meeting with the prime minister on Thursday will cover the issue of progress in the Protocol negotiations and the latest developments around the Stormont impasse.
There has been no Stormont government since February as the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has refused to return to power-sharing.
The party has protested against the Northern Ireland Protocol, a part of the UK-EU Brexit deal which keeps Northern Ireland aligned with some EU trade rules.
Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill confirmed no Stormont representatives will attend the meeting.
Today the Taoiseach, British Prime Minister & Heads of Government from the devolved administrations, Isle of Mann & Channel Islands meet in Blackpool. There’ll be NO political representation from Stormont, because the DUP are preventing our voice from being heard, when it counts.
Mr Martin also took part in meetings with community, political and business leaders in Manchester during his visit to England.
Before the summit, he travelled to Manchester and met with the Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotherham, and Manchester Greater Authority Mayor Andy Burnham.