Ireland seeks emergency law to return asylum seekers back to UK
Ireland seeks emergency law to return asylum seekers to the UK amidst concerns of increased arrivals through Northern Ireland due to Sunak's Rwanda deterrence plan. [ more ]
Northern Ireland's DUP leader Donaldson steps down after sex offence charges
Jeffrey Donaldson stepped down as leader of Northern Ireland's largest unionist party due to historic sexual offense charges.
His resignation plunged the Democratic Unionist Party into uncertainty ahead of U.K. elections, impacting Northern Ireland's political landscape. [ more ]
Northern Ireland presses visiting Sunak on budget DW 02/05/2024
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with Northern Ireland's new power-sharing executive and hailed the return of decision-making power to the region's politicians.
Sunak dismissed speculation about a united Ireland and emphasized the focus on delivering for the people. [ more ]
Northern Ireland's power-sharing government has been restored with pro-United Ireland parties in key positions
A growing shift in demographics and national identity suggests that Northern Ireland is becoming less unionist and more open to a united Ireland [ more ]
Sunak shakes hand with Northern Ireland's first Irish nationalist first minister
Rishi Sunak met with Northern Ireland's first Irish nationalist first minister, Michelle O'Neill, to mark the restoration of the country's powersharing arrangements.
The new devolved government will focus on improving public services and addressing strained finances.
Chris Heaton-Harris dismissed the prospect of a border poll on Irish reunification, stating that the conditions for a referendum were not met and downplayed the likelihood of one within a decade. [ more ]
What does return to power sharing mean for Northern Ireland?
Power sharing is set to return to Northern Ireland after a two-year deadlock, with Michelle O'Neill becoming the first nationalist first minister.
Members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) will return to Parliament Buildings in Belfast, and a new power-sharing executive will be formed.
Sinn Fein emerged as the largest party in Northern Ireland in the 2022 assembly election, giving them a dominant role in the new power-sharing government. [ more ]
Northern Ireland to get new Brexit trade rules in deal to restore power sharing
New rules have been announced to smooth post-Brexit trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland as part of a deal to restore the Stormont executive.
The measures remove routine checks on goods from Great Britain destined for Northern Ireland and replace them with a UK internal market system for goods remaining within the UK.
The command paper also includes legislative measures to affirm Northern Ireland's constitutional position in the UK and promises to amend domestic law so that EU laws will not automatically apply. [ more ]
No 'red flags' in deal aimed to restore powersharing in Stormont, says Leo Varadkar
Irish and EU officials will have questions about the British government's deal regarding checks on goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar sees no red flags in the deal so far, but emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to the Good Friday Agreement and ensuring no hard border between North and South. [ more ]
Northern Ireland will no longer automatically have to follow EU laws under deal to restore power sharing, DUP leader says politics live
DUP is set to resume power sharing in Northern Ireland after accepting a compromise offer from the UK government
The new deal will remove checks for goods moving within the UK and remaining in Northern Ireland and end Northern Ireland automatically following future EU laws [ more ]
Leo Varadkar to attend north-south political meeting in last major job as Taoiseach
Leo Varadkar's last major political engagement as Taoiseach is attending the North South Ministerial Council meeting in Armagh.
The meeting will focus on trade, business issues, and investment, reflecting shared challenges and cooperation between Ireland and Northern Ireland. [ more ]
The most effective cure for Northern Irish unionism? Attitudes in England | Emma DeSouza
The polarisation and politicisation of identity in Northern Ireland is leading to the perception that you can only be Irish or British, not both.
Many citizens of Northern Ireland who identify as British find their perception of Britishness challenged when they interact with people on the mainland UK. [ more ]
Drama, icons & missed penalties - the history of Scotland v NI
Scotland and Northern Ireland have faced each other infrequently despite geographical proximity. BBC Sport looks back at their last five encounters spanning decades. [ more ]
In Ancient Bones, a Reminder that Northern Ireland's Ghosts Are Never Far
The discovery of well-preserved Iron Age remains in a bog in Northern Ireland sparks both awe and discomfort due to the reminder of the region's troubled past.
The find raises questions about the unresolved history of violence and conflict in the area, highlighting the ongoing challenges of coming to terms with the past. [ more ]
British and Irish governments play down Sinn Fein's calls for united Ireland
The British and Irish governments downplayed Sinn Fein's calls for Irish unity and emphasized the importance of stability and the new devolved government in Northern Ireland.
Rishi Sunak urged the Stormont executive to focus on day-to-day issues rather than redrawing the border, while Leo Varadkar declined to comment on the possibility of a united Ireland in his lifetime. [ more ]
DUP deal to restore Northern Ireland government to be published
Physical and identity checks will no longer be required for goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, except in cases of suspicion of smuggling or criminal activity. [ more ]
Stormont: 'Historic day' as devolved government returns in Northern Ireland
Michelle O'Neill is set to become the first nationalist first minister in Northern Ireland after a two-year political collapse.
The DUP has agreed to the recall of political institutions and the formation of a powersharing executive on the back of a deal with the Westminster Government. [ more ]
N. Ireland gets its first Sinn Fein first minister in historic shift
After two years without a functioning government, Northern Ireland's Parliament Buildings will open their doors on Saturday and Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill will be named as the first minister.
O'Neill will make history as Northern Ireland's first republican leader, representing a party that wants north and south to come together as a single country. [ more ]
Northern Ireland government to reconvene after two-year DUP boycott
Northern Ireland's devolved government is set to reconvene after a two-year boycott, with Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill becoming the first nationalist first minister.
The restoration of power-sharing institutions will bring an end to an impasse that has paralyzed politics in Northern Ireland.
There are calls for loyalist protesters to picket Stormont estate to protest against the DUP's deal with London. [ more ]
New Northern Ireland Brexit trade rules approved paving way for power sharing
The UK government's latest post-Brexit Northern Ireland trade arrangements have been approved by MPs, paving the way for power-sharing to restart at Stormont.
The changes could see Stormont back up and running as soon as Saturday, with Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill potentially becoming the first nationalist politician to hold the role of first minister. [ more ]
The Guardian view on customs borders: Northern Ireland deal highlights broken Brexit promises | Editorial
Brexit was meant to be a one-off event but has turned into an ongoing process
The proposed changes to Northern Ireland's trading arrangements and the health certification for EU food imports illustrate the perpetual nature of Brexit [ more ]
The Guardian view on Northern Ireland: a historic deal that allows government to function | Editorial
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is willing to accept a Sinn Fein first minister in Northern Ireland's assembly.
Stormont's power-sharing executive may be revived soon, allowing for urgent matters like tackling hospital waiting lists and settling public sector pay claims. [ more ]
Precarious': High-Wire Diplomacy Ahead As Northern Ireland On The Brink of Power-Sharing Return
The UK government is attempting to strike a balance in Northern Ireland over Brexit by getting the DUP to accept a deal aimed at resuming power-sharing.
The government is trying to tell the DUP that something has changed about the way Britain relates to Northern Ireland, the EU that nothing has changed, and Brexiters that everything is fine, but not all three things can be true. [ more ]
The DUP is celebrating this breakthrough it should be apologising for the lives it has ruined | Sarah Creighton
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has ended its boycott of power-sharing institutions at Stormont after examining the UK government's latest offer to end the impasse.
The DUP's boycott has had a detrimental impact on Northern Ireland's public services, including long waiting lists in hospitals and a severe budget. [ more ]
No 10 says 3bn Brexit deal with DUP doesn't need EU approval
The agreement struck with the DUP will not require Rishi Sunak to re-open his Windsor Framework deal with the EU.
The new agreement aims to remove all post-Brexit checks on goods moving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain and allow Northern Ireland to no longer automatically follow EU laws. [ more ]
Unionists agree to restore government in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's largest British unionist party, the DUP, has agreed to end a boycott and potentially restore the power-sharing administration in Belfast.
The UK government has given Northern Ireland's political parties until February 8 to restore the collapsed government or face new elections.
The DUP's decision faces opposition from hard-line unionists who fiercely support Northern Ireland's place in the UK. [ more ]
Northern Ireland political party agrees to end 2-year boycott that caused the government to collapse
Northern Ireland's largest British unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has agreed to end their boycott and return to power-sharing government.
The decision came after the U.K. government set a deadline for Northern Ireland politicians to restore the government or face new elections.
The DUP initially walked out in opposition to post-Brexit trade rules that imposed customs checks on goods moving to Northern Ireland from the rest of the U.K. [ more ]
DUP agrees deal to end boycott of Northern Ireland government
The DUP party executive has backed a government deal to address their concerns over post-Brexit trade barriers in Northern Ireland.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he would drop the blockade on devolution at Stormont once the government implemented the measures offered to his party. [ more ]
Stormont power-sharing in sight as Northern Ireland DUP accepts post-Brexit deal
The Democratic Unionist party has endorsed a deal with the UK government to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland after two years of political deadlock.
The deal paves the way for Sinn Fein to take the first minister post for the first time, with a DUP member as deputy first minister. [ more ]