Michelle O'Neill becomes Northern Irish first minister as power sharing resumes in Stormont

Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill is set to make history as Northern Ireland's first ever nationalist first minister.

Politicians gathered in administrative capital Stormont on Saturday with intentions to install a new power sharing agreement and end a two year parliamentary stalemate. 

The Democratic Unionist Party, which wants to maintain links with the UK, came to the table after being given assurance from Westminster about a post-Brexit trading agreement. 

This allowed members of the legislative assembly to come to a power sharing agreement. Ms O’Neill, as part of the nationalist Sinn Fein, will be the first to hold the role with the ideology of wanting Ireland to become one unified country.

However, she will not be allowed to action this as the DUP is to put forward a, currently unnamed deputy, who has an authority equal to that of the first minister. 

"This is a historic day," Ms O'Neill tweeted "As a first minister for all, I am determined to lead positive change for everyone, and to work together with others to progress our society in a spirit of respect, co-operation, and equality."

Ms O'Neill, 47, was elected to the Stormont Assembly in 2007 and comes from a family of Irish republicans. 

The return to government came exactly two years after a DUP boycott over a dispute about trade restrictions for goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

Northern Ireland was left without a functioning administration as the cost of living soared and public services were strained.

An open border between the north and the republic was a key pillar of the peace process that ended the Troubles, so checks were imposed instead between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.