The Northern Ireland government is set to be restored on the second anniversary of its collapse, with a meeting of the legislative assembly set to take place on Saturday in Belfast’s Stormont. The arrival of an Irish nationalist as the first Minister in the executive marks a significant milestone in the country’s history. The recall of Stormont also follows the end of the Democratic Unionist Party’s boycott over Brexit trade rules. The party had previously withdrawn its first minister in response to extra checks and paperwork for goods traded between Northern Ireland and the UK.
The power vacuum created by the DUP’s actions caused the power-sharing executive to collapse, with the party since blocking attempts at restoration. However, the prospect of addressing unionist concerns over Northern Ireland’s place within the UK internal market has persuaded the DUP to return to the negotiating table. The two-year boycott and subsequent delay to restoring the institutions have prompted Tuesday’s breakthrough.
Upon the selection of a new speaker, the parties in the executive will begin to make nominations for ministerial positions. The Sinn Féin will make Northern Ireland’s history by nominating its Vice-President Michelle O’Neill as the first republican First Minister. Meanwhile, the DUP, as the largest unionist party, is tipped to nominate Emma Little-Pengelly as its deputy First Minister. The Alliance Party has not confirmed its plans, but speculation persists about which departments other parties might take.
The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), which is ineligible for inclusion within the next executive, has expressed hope that the institutions work efficiently for the people of Northern Ireland. The recent strikes by public service workers have highlighted the strain on Northern Ireland’s public services. With the UK Treasury releasing a £3.3bn package designed to address the situation, the incoming administration will face significant challenges in the coming months
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