Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited Belfast on Thursday to finalise a £540m contract for new trains on the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise line. The Department for Infrastructure provided more than £200m, matched by the Irish government, with additional peace fund contributions. First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly, and Tánaiste Simon Harris attended the signing at Grand Central Station. Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins signed with manufacturer Stadler. Trains arrive from late 2028.

Martin met leaders of all main Northern Ireland parties at Stormont Parliament Buildings. Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots greeted him on arrival. Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald told Martin that victims' concerns must feature in the UK-Irish legacy framework. She received assurances of Irish government vigilance, with the interstate case against the UK remaining active.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson met Martin with Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly and others. Robinson called Ireland's interstate case a disgrace and criticised Dublin's lack of engagement with the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows spoke with Martin by phone from London on legacy, Windsor Framework issues, and cooperation areas.

Alliance leader Naomi Long and SDLP leader Claire Hanna raised Stormont powersharing reform with Martin. Long said both governments must drive changes to prevent institutional collapse. Hanna urged action before the next Assembly election.

Martin met Northern Ireland business leaders and visited Women's Aid. In the evening, he delivered the 2026 Lord David Trimble Lecture at Queen's University Belfast.