UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will say he is “determined” to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland as soon as possible when he attends a British-Irish Council summit on Thursday.
The British leader will meet Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin at the gathering and will be joined by Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, and Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales.
The summit comes amid continuing political deadlock in the region and after Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris announced plans to extend a deadline for calling a Stormont election and to cut the pay of Assembly members.
The absence of a power-sharing executive means that Northern Ireland will not be represented by any politicians at the talks, with Jayne Brady, the head of the civil service there, attending instead.
It is rare for a British prime minister to travel to British-Irish Council summits. Mr Sunak will be the first to do so since Gordon Brown became the first UK leader to do so in 2007.
Opening the summit, the prime minister is expected to stress his commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and his hope that devolution can function again soon.
“We all want to see power sharing restored as soon as possible,” he will say.
“I’m determined to deliver that.”
Rishi Sunak through the years — in pictures
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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces July 4 as the date for the 2024 general election at No 10 Downing Street. Here, The National looks back at his political career. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak during local election campaigning in Teesside in May 2024. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak presents cupcakes to journalists on board a plane on the way to Warsaw in April 2024. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak during a press conference in Downing Street in January after the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons. Getty Images -
Being applauded after his speech at the Conservative Party conference in October 2023. Getty Images -
Looking pensive alongside then-home secretary Suella Braverman at No 10 in October 2023. She didn't last much longer in the cabinet. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak sits in an old Special Branch police vehicle which was used to transport former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in July 2023. Getty Images -
On board Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover in June 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arriving in Japan ahead of the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt sending a message at Accrington Market Hall in January 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in November 2022. Getty Images -
King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government in October 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak makes a statement outside No 10 in October 2022 after taking office. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak arrives inside Number 10 in October 2022. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street -
Greeted by colleagues at Conservative Party HQ after having been announced winner of the leadership contest in October 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak at Westminster Hall in London following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. PA -
Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy, on the campaign trail in August 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak looks at an NLAW anti-tank launcher during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast in August 2022. Getty Images -
At a hustings event in Exeter in August 2022. Getty Images -
Celebrates England's first goal as he watches the Women's Euro 2022 final in Salisbury in July 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Ms Truss take part in the BBC Leadership debate at Victoria Hall, Hanley, in July 2022. Getty Images -
With daughters Krisna and Anoushka and wife Akshata Murthy in July 2022. Getty Images -
Opening the Great Ayton Village Fete during the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Ms Murthy speak to then-Prince Charles at a British Asian Trust event in February 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak arrives at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 when he was chancellor. Getty Images -
Holding the budget box as he departs 11 Downing Street to deliver his Autumn Budget in October 2021. Getty Images -
At a press conference on the 2021 Budget in London in March 2021. Getty Images -
With former prime minister Boris Johnson during a visit to PD Ports on the River Tees in March 2021. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak poses with the budget box at 11 Downing Street in March 2021. Getty Images -
Meeting staff back at work after being furloughed at Hamleys toy shop in London, December 2020. Photo: HM Treasury -
Mr Sunak visits the Imperial Clinic Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital, London, in November 2020. Getty Images -
Lighting a candle for Diwali on Downing Street, November 2020. Getty Images -
Working on a speech in his flat above 11 Downing Street in November 2020. Photo: HM Treasury -
Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak visit the headquarters of Octopus Energy in London in October 2020. Getty Images -
With his 'Winter Economy Plan' outside 11 Downing Street in September 2020. AFP -
Decorating a plate at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke pottery in September 2020. Getty Images -
Promoting 'eat out to help out' on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, in August 2020. Getty Images -
A member of the public takes a selfie with Rishi Sunak during a visit to Scotland in August 2020. AFP -
Visiting a Wagamama restaurant in central London in July 2020. Photo: HM Treasury -
Rishi Sunak visits a Pret A Manger in Westminster in July 2020. HM Treasury -
With Mr Johnson at his first Cabinet meeting after a reshuffle at 10 Downing Street in February 2020. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak speaks during a general election debate in Cardiff in November 2019. Getty Images
He will also use the occasion to urge closer collaboration, as he meets with Ms Sturgeon and Mr Drakeford, as well as Mr Martin.
“We face huge challenges from global economic headwinds to war in Europe,” the prime minister will say.
“So let’s be pragmatic. Let’s work together in our 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.”
While at the summit, Mr Sunak will also host his first council with the heads of the devolved administrations to discuss next week’s autumn statement, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt expected to join the discussion virtually.
Michelle O’Neill, vice president of Sinn Fein, who cannot attend proceedings due to the crisis at Stormont, said the summit represented a “test” for Mr Sunak.
“We’re aware that both the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Taoiseach Micheal Martin will be there together,” she said.
“So that’s an opportunity for a very strong statement and what I want to hear from Rishi Sunak tomorrow is actually his plan for how he’s actually going to restore this executive and have local ministers in place, his plan for how he’s going to advance and propel talks with the EU around getting an agreement on making the protocol work.”
The British-Irish Council is comprised of representatives from the British and Irish governments, the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the governments of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.
It was formed in 1999 under the British-Irish agreement, part of the Good Friday Agreement which brought an end to the period of violence in Northern Ireland known as "The Troubles".
The council's stated aim is to “promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relations among the peoples of these islands”.
All eyes will be on the outcome of Mr Sunak's discussion with Mr Martin for potential progress on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland secretary, said he hoped the meeting would be “a very positive reset in the relationship” between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Speaking to LBC radio, he also expressed hope that relations between Britain and the EU would improve.
“The problems are that lots of goods now are not available in Northern Ireland that are available in England, Scotland, and Wales,” Mr Heaton-Harris explained. “And that’s because the European Commission insisted on essentially types of potentially, in the future, customs checks, because they worry about goods flowing from the United Kingdom into the European single market. So we absolutely believe we can fix this by sharing of data.”
Asked whether we will still be talking about the protocol in six months, Mr Heaton-Harris said he hoped for a resolution because “there are also many other important things to be talking about.”
He insisted that cutting the pay of all Stormont MLAs, rather than singling out the DUP members boycotting devolution, is “fair and proportionate”.
Ms O’Neill has challenged Mr Heaton-Harris on the universality of the 27.5 per cent reduction for members of the crisis-hit Assembly in Belfast.
The government this week announced the change along with an extension to the deadline for a Northern Ireland executive to be formed.
The new December 8 deadline can be further extended by six weeks, meaning the latest a ballot can be held is April 13 2023.
Rishi Sunak wins battle to become UK prime minister — in pictures
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Britain's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech outside Number 10 Downing Street. Reuters -
King Charles III invites Mr Sunak to become prime minister and form a new government in an audience at Buckingham Palace. PA -
Mr Sunak promised to bring stability amid what he called a “profound economic crisis”. PA -
The new prime minister is applauded as he enters Number 10. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street -
Mr Sunak is greeted by Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service Simon Case as he enters 10 Downing Street. AFP -
A worker loads a removal van with boxes outside 10 Downing Street. Reuters -
Members of the public wait for the arrival of Mr Sunak near Downing Street. AP -
Staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office watch from the windows as Mr Sunak arrives in Downing Street. PA -
An Indian artist in Mumbai creates a painting to congratulate Mr Sunak on becoming prime minister. EPA -
Mr Sunak arrives at Buckingham Palace. PA -
Incoming prime minister Rishi Sunak arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with a wave. AFP -
Rishi Sunak is greeted by colleagues upon his arrival. AFP -
Conservative MPs applaud as Rishi Sunak arrives. Reuters -
Rishi Sunak departs after making a statement inside the Conservative Party's headquarters. PA -
Mr Sunak meets the 1922 Committee in Parliament after he was announced as the new leader of the Conservative Party when Penny Mordaunt dropped out. PA -
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, announces Mr Sunak as the new leader of the Conservatives and therefore the prime minister. PA -
Members of the media work outside No 10 Downing Street, the official residence of Britain's prime minister, in central London, as they await announcements. AFP -
Mr Sunak leaves his campaign office in London. AP -
A billboard of Liz Truss, the departing prime minister, in London. Bloomberg -
Members of the public look through the gates into Downing Street. Reuters -
Mr Sunak leaves his home in London on Monday morning. AFP -
Leader of the House of Commons and Conservative leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt speaks to the media on Sunday. Ms Mordaunt pulled out of the race moments before the deadline for nominations. PA
