Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill becomes the first nationalist first minister of Northern Ireland, sparking discussions about the possibility of a referendum on Irish reunification within a decade. The appointment follows the reconvening of the Northern Ireland Assembly after a two-year boycott by the Democratic Unionist Party over post-Brexit trade rules. O'Neill, who advocates for Northern Ireland to rejoin the Republic, emphasizes the importance of unity and respect for all identities while pursuing the ultimate goal of reuniting the island of Ireland.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visited Stormont to mark the return of power sharing in Northern Ireland, meeting with political leaders and discussing the new deal's impact on the region's place in the union. The executive has called for talks with the government on long-term funding stability to deliver public services, seeking a new funding model for long-term sustainability. The return of power-sharing came after months of negotiations involving the government and the DUP, Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, and culminated in the restoration of the power-sharing institutions on Saturday.
The U.K. and Irish leaders celebrated the revival of Northern Ireland's government after a two-year political crisis, with the new administration seeking more funding to address public service issues. The power-sharing government, including both British unionists and Irish nationalists, was appointed following a hiatus caused by post-Brexit trading disputes. The historic appointment of an Irish nationalist as First Minister signals ongoing tensions between nationalists and unionists, with discussions around a potential referendum on Irish unity. The U.K. government has pledged over 3 billion pounds in funding, but the Belfast administration is pushing for more.
Rishi Sunak's visit to Northern Ireland marks the revival of devolved government after two years of political stasis, with the focus on improving people's day-to-day lives. The £3.3bn funding from Westminster aims to end public sector strikes and improve the health service, but Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill insists on a better funding model. Sunak emphasizes the safeguarding of the union in response to O'Neill's remarks about a potential referendum on Northern Ireland's future. The stability of devolution remains uncertain, given its historical fragility and potential new friction points in the wake of Brexit.
Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill made history by becoming Northern Ireland's first minister, marking the return of the government after a two-year boycott by unionists. The power-sharing government, established under the Good Friday peace accord, includes both British unionists and Irish nationalists. O'Neill, a member of Sinn Fein, will share power with deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly from the DUP, and pledges cooperation with colleagues of a unionist tradition. The return to government follows a dispute over trade restrictions related to Brexit, with the U.K. government agreeing to new changes to ease customs checks and provide funding for Northern Ireland's public services.
Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Féin has become the first nationalist First Minister of Northern Ireland as power-sharing resumes after a two-year hiatus. Her appointment marks a significant moment in the region's history, with the leading opposition party, the Democratic Unionist Party, agreeing to a deal with the UK government to alleviate Brexit concerns, paving the way for the end of the political deadlock. O'Neill emphasized her commitment to serving everyone equally and working towards reconciliation, symbolizing a potential shift in the future of Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill is set to become Northern Ireland's first republican first minister, marking a historic shift in the region's power dynamics. This comes after a two-year political deadlock, with the Democratic Unionist Party striking a deal with the UK government on post-Brexit trade arrangements. O'Neill's appointment reflects a significant change in Northern Ireland's political landscape, with implications for the delicate power-sharing agreement and the prospect of Irish unity.
Northern Ireland's devolved government is set to be restored after a two-year hiatus, with a meeting at Stormont on Saturday to revive power-sharing institutions. The first minister role will be held by an Irish nationalist for the first time, and Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill is set to take up the role. The DUP's return to Stormont follows a deal with the UK government addressing unionist concerns over Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market. The return of the Stormont executive will also see a £3.3bn package released by the UK Treasury to support struggling public services in Northern Ireland.
Party leaders and officials have met to discuss key issues for an incoming Stormont executive, with the Northern Ireland Assembly set to sit on Saturday for the first time since power-sharing collapsed in February 2022. The DUP has agreed to end its boycott after MPs passed legislation on a new deal on post-Brexit trade rules, and MLAs will have their full salaries restored within days. The first order of business on Saturday will be to elect a new speaker, and Sinn Féin is set to nominate the first minister, marking a symbolic moment. The DUP's deal with the UK government on post-Brexit trade issues will reduce checks and paperwork on goods moving from the rest of the UK into Northern Ireland, and the return of a power-sharing executive at Stormont will see the UK Treasury release a £3.3bn package to support struggling public services. The SDLP will go into opposition, while the UUP will take up a ministerial job in the executive, and the Alliance Party has yet to confirm its position.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has ended its boycott of the Northern Ireland Assembly, leading to a scheduled sitting on Saturday after the passage of legislation in the UK Parliament. The move comes after the party's protest over trade arrangements following Brexit. The legislation will eliminate routine checks on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The DUP's decision paves the way for the re-establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, with the first-ever republican first minister, marking a symbolic moment in the region's politics.
The UK government and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) have reached a deal to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland after a two-year stand-off. The deal aims to reduce checks and paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, with the UK government introducing legislation to affirm Northern Ireland's place in the UK. The DUP's endorsement of the deal has been hailed as a significant step towards re-establishing power sharing, with other parties urged to work together to kickstart devolution.
Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has agreed to end a two-year boycott, potentially restoring the Belfast government within days and allowing Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein to hold the post of first minister for the first time. The boycott, which began in 2022 over post-Brexit trade rules, left Northern Ireland without a functioning administration, leading to public frustration and a 24-hour strike by public sector workers. The breakthrough comes after the U.K. government set a deadline for the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and local government. The DUP's change of heart faces opposition from hard-line unionists, and the appointment of Northern Ireland's first nationalist leader is seen as a significant step toward a united Ireland.
The leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) expressed optimism that the regional power-sharing government could be restored within days, following the party's endorsement of proposals agreed with London on the operation of post-Brexit trade rules. The deal, which includes a financial package and legislation affirming Northern Ireland's place within the UK, aims to win over the DUP and restore the government, a key part of a 1998 agreement to end sectarian violence. All sides are eager to move quickly before critics undermine the proposals, with the UK government expected to publish legislation as soon as Wednesday.
Monday is a crucial day for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) as leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson presents a deal to his party, aiming for their endorsement before turning focus to London and Brussels. Trust between the DUP and the government has eroded, and opponents seek to dismantle any deal before it is published. The outcome will determine Sir Jeffrey's leadership and the party's path back to power-sharing in Northern Ireland.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in Northern Ireland has endorsed a deal to restore power-sharing government at Stormont, subject to new legislation being passed in parliament and final agreement on a timetable. The party had boycotted government for nearly two years in protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements, but leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson faced criticism from some within the party. The specific details of the deal have yet to be published, but Sir Jeffrey expressed confidence in the progress made and stated that the government could move quickly to implement the agreed measures. The move has been welcomed by the UK government, while Sinn Féin expressed optimism for political stability, but there has also been opposition from some quarters within Unionist circles.
