Northern Ireland’s Devolved Government Set to be Restored After Two-Year Collapse
After two years of political deadlock, Northern Ireland’s devolved government is set to be restored. On the exact day of its collapse, a meeting of the legislative assembly at Stormont in Belfast will be held to revive the power-sharing institutions. This significant development comes after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ended its boycott over Brexit trade rules.
The collapse of the power-sharing executive occurred when the DUP withdrew its first minister in protest against additional checks and paperwork for goods moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Since then, the party has been blocking the restoration of the institutions. However, on Monday, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont after reaching a deal with the government to address unionist concerns over Northern Ireland’s place within the UK internal market.
The first order of business for members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) will be to elect a new speaker. Once the speaker is elected, the parties entitled to jointly lead the executive will make their nominations to ministerial positions. In a historic moment for Irish nationalism, Sinn Féin, having won the most seats in the last assembly election, will nominate a first minister. Michelle O’Neill, the vice-president of the Irish republican party, is set to take up the role. Additionally, the DUP, as the largest unionist party, will nominate a deputy first minister for the first time.
The Alliance Party, the third-largest in the assembly, has yet to confirm if they will enter government. However, its leader Naomi Long previously served as justice minister. The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has confirmed that it will take up a role in the executive instead of entering an official opposition.
The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), the fifth-largest party in the assembly, with eight assembly members, does not qualify to be part of the next executive and will go into opposition. SDLP assembly member Matthew O’Toole expressed the party’s commitment to making the institutions work effectively for the people of Northern Ireland.
The DUP’s deal with the UK government aims to reduce post-Brexit checks and paperwork on goods moving from the rest of the UK into Northern Ireland. This agreement will eliminate routine checks on goods from Great Britain that are being sent to and staying in Northern Ireland. The party had called for changes to previous arrangements agreed upon by the UK government and the EU, arguing that they diminished Northern Ireland’s place within the UK internal market.
The restoration of a Stormont executive will also lead to the release of a £3.3 billion package from the UK Treasury, which will support struggling public services in Northern Ireland. Recent strikes by nurses, teachers, civil servants, and others have highlighted the urgent need for improved pay and conditions.
In the last assembly election, Sinn Féin became the largest party at Stormont for the first time, surpassing the DUP. However, power-sharing structures require the support of both unionist and nationalist parties for the restoration of an executive.
The revival of Northern Ireland’s devolved government is a significant step towards stability and effective governance. It offers hope for addressing key issues such as Brexit trade rules, public service support, and improving the lives of the people of Northern Ireland. As the legislative assembly reconvenes, all eyes will be on the new leadership and their ability to work together for the betterment of the region.