Micheal Martin at Stormont for talks in first visit as Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has arrived in Belfast for a meeting with Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.

Discussions at Stormont Castle were due to last for 45 minutes.

This is the Fianna Fail leader’s first official trip to Northern Ireland since the coalition Government he heads was formed last month.

Mr Martin has faced an eventful start to his premiership and sacked his former agriculture minister following drink-driving revelations.

The Stormont leaders had a public falling out over Ms O’Neill’s attendance at the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey in west Belfast.

They stood side by side as they greeted the Irish premier on the steps of the building on Thursday.

Mr Martin wore a mask which he removed upon exiting his vehicle.

Later this afternoon he will meet other Northern Ireland party leaders including the SDLP’s Colum Eastwood at the nearby Stormont Hotel.