[HIGHLIGHTS] Northern Ireland: after two years of political paralysis, an end to the crisis is looming

An agreement was reached on the night of Monday to Tuesday January 30 to restore the Northern Irish government. The return of the executive triggers the release of 3.8 billion euros.

A significant part of this financial package will be allocated to resolve ongoing disputes in Northern Ireland over public sector pay. The boycott of local government by the DUP – the Democratic Unionist Party – will have lasted 24 months. The Unionists had withdrawn from Stormont, Parliament, to oppose post-Brexit trade rules. But the DUP has finally accepted an agreement to restore power sharing.