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

2024-01-30T15:28:45.642Z

Highlights: 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 The Unionists had withdrawn from Stormont, Parliament, to oppose post-Brexit trade rules.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.

An agreement was reached on the night of Monday to Tuesday January 30 to restore the Northern Irish government. Without an executive for two years already, all this time, it was London which managed affairs…

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. Without an executive for two years already, all this time, it has been London which has managed current affairs in Northern Ireland. We now expect a return to normal.

Jeffrey Donaldson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), speaks to the media during a press conference at the Hinch Distillery, Temple, Northern Ireland, Tuesday January 30, 2024. The Unionist leader met his executive members who agreed to approve a deal and restore power sharing in Northern Ireland. AP - Peter Morrison

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Dublin

Clémence Pénard

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 The Unionists had withdrawn from Stormont, Parliament,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. Announcement made by party leader Jeffrey Donaldson shortly before 1 a.m. last night.

But during this party meeting, a sign of the deep divisions within unionism, demonstrators expressed their discontent.

The British Minister in charge of Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, for his part, welcomes a “

significant step

”.

The DUP and other Northern Irish political parties are meeting today.

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.

Read also Agreement on Northern Ireland: unionists and republicans remain cautious

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

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

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