Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

At last, we have a breakthrough in the negotiations in the North of Ireland and we all expect the Assembly will elect a new Executive before the 8 February deadline. That will mean Northern institutions will be back up and running. There will be a fully functioning Assembly and an Executive, as well as the full operation of the Good Friday Agreement. The democratic outcome of the Assembly elections in 2022 will at last be respected. Thankfully, the DUP has moved to explicitly recognise and respect the outcome of that election.This has been a long time coming, but I am delighted for Michelle O'Neill, who can now really fulfil her promise to be a First Minister for all. She has been a hugely popular designated First Minister. She has given us a sense of what really can be achieved in that office as First Minister. She is a real people person. It was an absolute joy to march with her on the streets of this city for Dublin Pride last year.

In all seriousness, this is a hugely significant moment. It is the first time we have had a Sinn Féin First Minister in the North, and she is the first nationalist First Minister as well. I think that is representative of the seismic shift on our island and in the North of Ireland as well. It will take a good bit of hard work and real leadership from all the parties to help the people of the North to deal with the day-to-day challenges they now face, which have as we know been severely worsened by the absence of a government. The rising cost of living can now be addressed. The challenges in public services can be prioritised. Reconciliation between the people in the North and across this island can be maximised.

For those of us who advocate for constitutional change, the full working of the Good Friday Agreement offers the roadmap to peaceful and consensual constitutional change. Do we continue to support the union with Britain, or do we support a sovereign, united Ireland? We welcome the news. We look forward to the events over the next week or two. When the Speaker is elected to the Northern Assembly, the Cathaoirleach might extend our best wishes to him on behalf of this House.