MLAs return to Stormont for first time since 2022

MLAs will return to Stormont this morning for the first time since the election of May 2022.

The first session of the newly constituted chamber will see 90 members attend a 10.30am sitting. They will be electing scrutiny committees for each of the Stormont departments.

It is the kind of political oversight that has been missing in Northern Ireland since power sharing collapsed leaving senior civil servants to effectively run the place.

The Stormont Executive met for three hours yesterday evening.

Discussion centred on Northern Ireland’s finances and a dispute between Stormont ministers and the UK government about funding for public services and pay.

The Executive believes the £3.3 billion (€3.8 billion) on the table from the British government is not enough. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said during a visit to Stormont yesterday it was a fair settlement.

Meanwhile, Northern Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has gone to Washington to brief influential members of the US Congress on the restoration of the Stormont institutions.

In a statement the Northern Ireland Office said Mr Heaton-Harris would use the opportunity to “champion” Northern Ireland’s potential as a place to work, study, trade and invest.

He will also brief congress members on the UK government’s controversial legacy proposals – now the subject of a case brought by the Irish Government to the European Court of Human Rights.

During the visit he will meet members of Congress, representatives of the State Department and National Security Council, US business figures and the Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Heaton-Harris said: “With the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly restored and working for the people of Northern Ireland, I am pleased to be updating our US stakeholders, whose steadfast support has been invaluable, at this important moment for Northern Ireland.”

“This is an exciting time, with local, elected representatives in place at Stormont to help Northern Ireland realise its full potential as a fantastic place to live, work and invest.

“At the same time, the UK Government remains absolutely committed to addressing the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

“This visit provides a timely opportunity to discuss these important matters, including progress in the implementation of the Legacy Act by the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, and in finalising the Terms of Reference for the Omagh Bombing Inquiry which we hope to announce shortly.”