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| Coronavirus: PM visiting NI to discuss Covid-19 response | Coronavirus: PM visiting NI to discuss Covid-19 response |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Boris Johnson has arrived in Northern Ireland for meetings with Stormont's political leaders and Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin. | Boris Johnson has arrived in Northern Ireland for meetings with Stormont's political leaders and Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin. |
| It is the prime minister's first trip to Northern Ireland since January, when a deal was struck to restore power-sharing. | It is the prime minister's first trip to Northern Ireland since January, when a deal was struck to restore power-sharing. |
| He is meeting First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill. | He is meeting First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill. |
| They will discuss how Westminster and Stormont have tackled Covid-19. | They will discuss how Westminster and Stormont have tackled Covid-19. |
| Ahead of the trip, Mr Johnson said he recognised that "close working" had helped during the pandemic. | Ahead of the trip, Mr Johnson said he recognised that "close working" had helped during the pandemic. |
| "I cannot overstate how important the close co-operation that we have seen between central and devolved government will continue to be to this," he added. | "I cannot overstate how important the close co-operation that we have seen between central and devolved government will continue to be to this," he added. |
| "Together, we will make sure Northern Ireland is ready to take full advantage of the many opportunities that lie ahead and that no part of Northern Ireland is left behind." | "Together, we will make sure Northern Ireland is ready to take full advantage of the many opportunities that lie ahead and that no part of Northern Ireland is left behind." |
| Trade negotiations | Trade negotiations |
| The prime minister is also set to hold his first face-to-face meeting with Micheál Martin, since the Fianna Fáil leader became taoiseach in June. | The prime minister is also set to hold his first face-to-face meeting with Micheál Martin, since the Fianna Fáil leader became taoiseach in June. |
| The two leaders are expected to discuss the shared fight against coronavirus and work on a sustainable economic recovery, as well as the UK's ongoing negotiations with the EU to reach a trade deal, said Downing Street. | The two leaders are expected to discuss the shared fight against coronavirus and work on a sustainable economic recovery, as well as the UK's ongoing negotiations with the EU to reach a trade deal, said Downing Street. |
| A statement from the Irish government said the meeting at Hillsborough Castle will be "an opportunity for discussion of a number of issues of mutual concern". | A statement from the Irish government said the meeting at Hillsborough Castle will be "an opportunity for discussion of a number of issues of mutual concern". |
| "Covid-19 will top the agenda and the two leaders are expected to discuss their respective experiences of managing the virus and dealing with its economic and societal impact," it said. | "Covid-19 will top the agenda and the two leaders are expected to discuss their respective experiences of managing the virus and dealing with its economic and societal impact," it said. |
| "They will also discuss Brexit, including the continuing negotiations between the UK and the EU, with less than six months to the end of the transition period." | "They will also discuss Brexit, including the continuing negotiations between the UK and the EU, with less than six months to the end of the transition period." |
| The transition period is due to end on 1 January and a new "trade border" will begin operating between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. | The transition period is due to end on 1 January and a new "trade border" will begin operating between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. |
| Last week, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove set out details of £355m in funding for a system to ease trade going from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. | Last week, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove set out details of £355m in funding for a system to ease trade going from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. |
| Belfast trip a test of PM's optimism | |
| By Stephen Walker, BBC News NI Political Correspondent | |
| Boris Johnson presents himself as an optimist - a glass half-full prime minister rather than a glass half-empty one. | |
| However, the bonhomie and jolly good nature he exudes can't hide the fundamental difficulties he faces when it comes to relations with the Stormont parties and the new Taoiseach Micheál Martin. | |
| On Brexit, many around the NI Executive table worry that Northern Ireland will lose out and have big concerns over trading arrangements once the transition period ends. | |
| There is much scepticism over what a "Boris Brexit" looks like - even his once-close allies in the DUP have real concerns about economic life for some local businesses after the EU withdrawal. | |
| On the fight against Covid-19 there are still worries that an influx of travellers from Britain could lead to a spike in the pandemic in Northern Ireland and the Republic - the new Taoiseach sees things differently from his counterpart in London. | |
| Mr Johnson will also highlight the additional funding for the Stormont Executive, his support for a city growth deal and the five million pieces of PPE (personal protective equipment) that have come to NI from other parts of the UK. | |
| As he tours the UK, he is a salesman for the Union and not surprisingly he has also used this trip to flag up Northern Ireland's centenary in 2021. | |
| Arlene Foster says events to mark the centenary can be inclusive. Michelle O'Neill says there is nothing to celebrate. | |
| Welcome to Belfast, prime minister. | |
| 'Celebrate Northern Ireland' | 'Celebrate Northern Ireland' |
| During his trip to Northern Ireland, Mr Johnson will also announce plans to mark Northern Ireland's centenary year in 2021. | During his trip to Northern Ireland, Mr Johnson will also announce plans to mark Northern Ireland's centenary year in 2021. |
| He is expected to say that a centenary forum and historical advisory panel will be established to work alongside the government to mark 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland. | He is expected to say that a centenary forum and historical advisory panel will be established to work alongside the government to mark 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland. |
| The prime minister said it was "important" to celebrate Northern Ireland's people, culture and traditions, "along with its vital contribution to the United Kingdom". | The prime minister said it was "important" to celebrate Northern Ireland's people, culture and traditions, "along with its vital contribution to the United Kingdom". |
| Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she warned Mr Johnson that there was "nothing to celebrate" with next year's centenary. | Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she warned Mr Johnson that there was "nothing to celebrate" with next year's centenary. |
| Speaking after meeting the prime minister, the Sinn Féin vice-president said it should be marked with a "reflective and honest" conversation about partition and its "failures". | Speaking after meeting the prime minister, the Sinn Féin vice-president said it should be marked with a "reflective and honest" conversation about partition and its "failures". |
| "I was very clear in speaking to Boris Johnson that there isn't anything to celebrate for the republican or nationalist community when it comes to partition. | "I was very clear in speaking to Boris Johnson that there isn't anything to celebrate for the republican or nationalist community when it comes to partition. |
| "The north was built on sectarianism, on gerrymandering, on an inbuilt unionist majority." | "The north was built on sectarianism, on gerrymandering, on an inbuilt unionist majority." |
| However, the DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the centenary would be marked in an inclusive way. | However, the DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the centenary would be marked in an inclusive way. |
| "If we're going to build a shared future in Northern Ireland, we need to have an understanding of our shared history," he said. | "If we're going to build a shared future in Northern Ireland, we need to have an understanding of our shared history," he said. |
| "If anyone denies the existence of Northern Ireland, then they deny history itself." | "If anyone denies the existence of Northern Ireland, then they deny history itself." |
| Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis had earlier welcomed the first stage of the government's centenary plans. | Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis had earlier welcomed the first stage of the government's centenary plans. |
| "This is a fantastic opportunity for people right across the UK to celebrate Northern Ireland and its integral place within our union," he said. | "This is a fantastic opportunity for people right across the UK to celebrate Northern Ireland and its integral place within our union," he said. |
| "The establishment of a centenary forum and centenary historical advisory panel will offer us the opportunity to work with a broad spectrum of people, including those from across the political parties, business, tourism and the voluntary and community sectors, to deliver an ambitious and exciting programme of events to mark this significant national anniversary for the UK." | "The establishment of a centenary forum and centenary historical advisory panel will offer us the opportunity to work with a broad spectrum of people, including those from across the political parties, business, tourism and the voluntary and community sectors, to deliver an ambitious and exciting programme of events to mark this significant national anniversary for the UK." |
| The government will use the centenary next year to "promote Northern Ireland on the world stage", pledged Mr Lewis. | The government will use the centenary next year to "promote Northern Ireland on the world stage", pledged Mr Lewis. |