BBC News
Published
image captionEdwin Poots became leader of the DUP in May
DUP leader Edwin Poots has said he intends to support Irish language legislation, but not necessarily before the next assembly election.
Conor Murphy said his party had not been assured that Irish language commitments would be honoured.
Arlene Foster resigned as first minister at 13:00 BST on Monday.
Mrs Foster made a statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly before her resignation, urging political parties to stick to a language and cultural deal they agreed to in January 2020.
Her departure comes six weeks after she was overthrown as the leader of the DUP.
Paul Givan, 39, set to be Northern Ireland s new leader wpta21.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wpta21.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
DUP: Nichola Mallon seeking legal advice over north-south boycott
By Stephen Walker
Published
image captionNichola Mallon told the Northern Ireland Assembly that ministers are legally obliged to attend north-south meetings
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has said she has sought legal advice over the DUP s absence at north-south meetings.
The DUP is boycotting some North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meetings due to its opposition to the NI Protocol.
The protocol is the part of the Brexit deal that places a border in the Irish Sea.
Ms Mallon told the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday that ministers are legally obliged to attend. I understand the DUP are having new leadership but, regardless of who the leader is, they have legal responsibilities and I am so concerned by this matter that I have sought legal advice from the attorney general on this particular issue, Ms Mallon said.
BBC News
Published
image copyrightGetty Images
The Department of Health must take concrete steps towards commissioning full abortion services in NI before the summer, a government minister has said.
Robin Walker said the secretary of state stands ready to act if significant progress is not made.
Abortion was decriminalised in 2019 in NI, but full services have been stalled.
They voted in favour by 13 votes to three. We need to see movement coming forward, Mr Walker, a Northern Ireland Office minister, told the First Delegated Legislation Committee. If we do not see significant progress before the summer recess, the secretary of state stands ready to issue the direction empowered by these regulations.