2024 Northern Ireland Executive formation: Difference between revisions

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The 2024 Northern Ireland Executive formation was a period from the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election to February 2024, concerning the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive after 22 months of political stalemate.^[1]

Background

With Brexit in January 2020, issues with the Irish border arose due to the Brexit withdrawal agreement.^[2] In the Brexit negotiations potential issues were considered with the Irish backstop.^[3] In December 2021, a judge ruled that DUP ministers boycotting cross-border political meetings to protest the Northern Ireland Protocol were an "abject breach of their solemn pledge".^[4]

The 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election resulted in Sinn Féin becoming the largest party, marking the first time an Irish nationalist/republican party won the most seats.^[5] This gave them the right to nominate Northern Ireland's first nationalist First minister of Northern Ireland.^[6] The Democratic Unionist Party refused to return to power-sharing over disagreements over the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Windsor Framework.^[7] The absence of an executive left senior civil servants controlling the nine government departments.^[8]

Events

If no executive is formed within six months of an Assembly election, the United Kingdom Government's Northern Ireland Secretary can call a new election early.^[9] On 28 September 2022, Chris Heaton-Harris, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, stated that he had a legal obligation to call an early election on 28 October if no government was formed by that date,^[10] probably^[11] to be held no later than January 2023.^[12]^[13] Sinn Féin leader Michelle O'Neill voiced her opposition to such an election: "The people spoke, and the people asked for a functioning executive, they asked for us to make politics work."^[14] Both the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Irish Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar had urged the DUP to agree to the formation of a Government.^[15]

The parties met on 27 October and failed to elect a Speaker, the fourth time they had met and failed to do so, and no government was formed by the deadline.^[16] On 28 October, Heaton-Harris expressed disappointment that no Executive had been formed and acknowledged his legal duty to call an election,^[17] but delayed immediately calling one.^[18] The chief electoral officer said the election date would likely be 15 December.^[19] The last date that an election could be held under the legislation existing then was 19 January 2023.^[20]

On 29 October, Heaton-Harris continued to delay calling an election. Claire Hanna, a Member of Parliament for the SDLP, reacted to the news, saying an election was now "less likely". Heaton-Harris held another round of talks with the political parties on 1 November, amid speculation that the UK government could introduce legislation to delay the need for a new election.^[21]^[20] However, Northern Ireland Office Minister Steve Baker said on 2 November that Heaton-Harris "will soon confirm the date of the next Northern Ireland Assembly election as required by law."^[22]

On 4 November, Heaton-Harris said an election would not be held in December.^[23] On 9 November, he said that he would be introducing legislation to (retrospectively) extend the deadline to form a new Assembly Executive to 8 December 2022, with the option for an additional 6-week extension.^[24] The requisite legislation, the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022,^[25]^[26] was passed by the Westminster Parliament on 6 December 2022.^[27]

In November 2022, British prime minister Rishi Sunak and Tánaiste of Ireland Micheál Martin met in Blackpool at the British-Irish Council summit.^[28] Sunak said he was confident a breakthrough in negotiations over the Northern Ireland Protocol were possible.^[29]

The December 2022 deadline passed without any resolution. The deadline was extended to 19 January 2023. Heaton-Harris invited the parties to new talks on 11 January 2023 to discuss the situation,^[30] but Sinn Féin pulled out in protest at the exclusion of its President, Mary Lou McDonald, after which the SDLP refused to take part as well.^[31]^[32]

Under the then legislation, the latest possible date for the next election, if an Executive is not formed, was 13 April 2023.^[24]^[33] The deadline to form an Executive passed on 19 January 2023, but Heaton-Harris played down the prospect of him calling a snap election.^[34]

Under then existing legislation, Heaton-Harris had to call an election by the end of the first week of March 2023. However, he proposed a further extension, with a new deadline to form an Executive of 18 January 2024 proposed.^[35]^[36] This was achieved through the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Organ and Tissue Donation) Act 2023,^[37] which completed its passage through the Westminster Parliament in late February 2023.^[38]^[37]

On 27 February 2023, the UK and EU announced the Windsor Framework to make changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol.^[39] It was hoped that this would lead to formation of an Assembly executive.^[40] However, the DUP boycott continued.^[41] Talks with the DUP continued without success through to December.^[42]

The Assembly was recalled on 17 January 2024. The DUP position was unchanged.^[43] Heaton-Harris said that he would, again, bring primary legislation to further extend the deadline to 8 February 2024, via the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill 2024.^[44]^[45] This came into law on 25 January 2024.^[46]

On 18 January 2024, the legal deadline to restore power-sharing was passed.^[47] The same day the largest general strike in more than 50 years was held across Northern Ireland, in protest over pay.^[48] Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris released a statement on the situation.^[49] In 25 January, the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2024 was introduced to extend the period necessary for restoration of government without calling a snap election.^[50] On 29 January 2024, an urgent meeting of the Democratic Unionist Party executive was called following the passing over the deadline to restore power sharing at Stormont.^[51] Details of the meeting was reportedly leaked to the BBC.^[52]^[53] Jeffrey Donaldson revealed in the morning that his party would return to Stormont.^[54]^[55] This end of the boycott was welcomed by Sinn Féin.^[56]

The deal will end the alignment of EU law in Northern Ireland.^[57] Due to the Brexit withdrawal agreement, internal trade was disrupted between the British Isles.^[58] A DUP agreement with the Sunak ministry will reportedly reduce checks and paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.^[59] This involves the creation of a "UK internal market" in order to ease unionist fears over de-facto border in the Irish Sea.^[60] Some hard-line loyalists criticised the DUP for "selling out".^[61]

Formation of the 7th Assembly

On 30 January, the parties returned to Stormont for talks.^[62] The same day further public sector strikes were held.^[63] The Assembly sat on Saturday 3 February.^[64]^[65] Fresh elections were to be called had the executive not been formed by 8 February.^[66]

On 3 February 2024, the Northern Ireland Assembly met to elect a new Speaker, with Edwin Poots, a former leader of the DUP, chosen to be the Assembly's 7th Speaker.^[67] Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill was nominated as First Minister, becoming the first nationalist politician to hold the post, while the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly was appointed deputy.^[68]^[69]

References

^ Castle, Stephen (30 January 2024). "'A Long Time Coming': Northern Ireland Deal Receives Broad Welcome". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ "Brexit: Five steps that led to an Irish Sea border". BBC News. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
^ Pérez-Peña, Richard (30 January 2019). "What Is the Irish Backstop, and Why Is It Holding Up Brexit?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
^ "DUP north-south boycott 'abject breach of pledge'". BBC News. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
^ "Northern Ireland: Sinn Fein secures historic election win – DW – 05/07/2022". dw.com. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ "Northern Ireland's largest political party ends 2-year boycott that left people with dysfunctional government". PBS NewsHour. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ "DUP: Jeffrey Donaldson's Windsor Framework dilemma". BBC News. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ "Who is running Northern Ireland?". BBC News. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ Sproule, Luke (12 May 2022). "NI election results 2022: What does Sinn Féin's vote success mean?". BBC News. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
^ Pogatchnik, Shawn (28 September 2022). "UK warns of snap Northern Ireland election if DUP won't share power". Politico. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
^ Cite error: The named reference bbc28oct was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "No Christmas election for Northern Ireland Assembly". BBC News. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
^ Campbell, Brett (18 October 2022). "Stormont election on December 15 if deadline missed 'even by a minute'". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
^ McCambridge, Jonathan (10 October 2022). "O'Neill cautions against winter election and calls for Stormont return". Evening Standard. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
^ "NI election looms as Stormont deadline passes". BBC News. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
^ Simpson, Mark; Andrews, Chris (27 October 2022). "DUP blocks NI government as election call looms". BBC News. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
^ "NI Secretary voices 'disappointment' but still no election call". ITV News. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
^ "NI Assembly election to be called but no date set". BBC News. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
^ Andrews, Chris (28 October 2022). "Q&A: Is Northern Ireland going back to the polls?". BBC News. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference BBC 2 Nov was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "NI election: Sinn Féin says talks to be held on Tuesday". BBC News. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
^ "NI election date to be confirmed soon - Steve Baker". BBC News. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
^ "Stormont: No NI Assembly election to be held in December". BBC News. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Secretary of State for Northern Ireland - Statement on Executive Formation". UK Government. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
^ https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9939/CBP-9939.pdf
^ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/48/enacted
^ McCormack, Jayne (5 December 2022). "Stormont: MLA pay cut bill passed in House of Lords" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
^ O'Carroll, Lisa; correspondent, Lisa O'Carroll Brexit (10 November 2022). "Sunak hopes to 'deepen UK-Irish ties' after Micheál Martin meeting". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 January 2024. {{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
^ "Rishi Sunak 'confident' of NI Protocol talks breakthrough". BBC News. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ "Stormont crisis: NI secretary invites parties to hold deadlock talks". 4 January 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
^ McCambridge, Jonathan (11 January 2023). "Sinn Fein pulls out of protocol meeting after party leader 'excluded'". The Independent. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
^ McClements, Freya; McQuinn, Cormac (11 January 2023). "Talks to break Stormont deadlock go ahead without any nationalists after 'exclusion' of Sinn Féin leader". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
^ McCormack, Jayne; Fox, Matt (9 November 2022). "Stormont stalemate: Heaton-Harris pushes back NI election deadline". BBC News. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
^ Hughes, Brendan (18 January 2023). "Latest Stormont deadline looms but little sign of snap election". BelfastLive.
^ Cite error: The named reference auto1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference auto was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Organ and Tissue Donation) (changed from Northern Ireland (Executive Formation)) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament".
^ "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill 2022-23 - House of Commons Library".
^ "The Windsor Framework". Institute for Government. 27 March 2023.
^ Press Association (27 February 2023). "Windsor Framework: Sinn Fein and SDLP call for restoration of Assembly following NI Protocol deal". Belfast News Letter.
^ "DUP: No dissent within the party over Stormont boycott, says leader". BBC News. 5 October 2023.
^ "NI talks: Discussions on restoring Stormont are over, government says". BBC News. 19 December 2023.
^ "Stormont Assembly recall could be its last sitting says O'Neill". BBC News. 17 January 2024.
^ "Stormont stalemate: Deadline to restore Northern Ireland Executive to expire". BBC News. 18 January 2024.
^ https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9939/
^ https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3672
^ "Stormont stalemate: Deadline to restore Northern Ireland Executive to expire". BBC News. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ "Strikes: Thousands attend rallies in major strike over pay". BBC News. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ "Secretary of State's statement on the NI Executive Formation Deadline". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
^ "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2024".
^ "DUP set for crunch meeting as party leader briefs members on proposals to end Stormont boycott". ITV Northern Ireland. 29 January 2024.
^ "DUP mole 'wore a wire' to leak meeting to Jamie Bryson". BBC News. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
^ Reporters, Telegraph (30 January 2024). "DUP agrees deal to restore power-sharing at Stormont". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ "Leaks, tweets and cries of deceit - but a deal was done". BBC News. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
^ "DUP: Next days crucial for Stormont return, says Sinn Féin". BBC News. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
^ "NI powersharing government to return after DUP confirms end of boycott". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
^ O'Carroll, Lisa (30 January 2024). "Northern Ireland: what is the power-sharing deal – and could it be blocked?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ Sparrow, Andrew (30 January 2024). "Goods to flow freely from GB to NI as part of deal to restore Stormont power sharing, says DUP – as it happened". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ "DUP deal aimed at restoring power sharing in Northern Ireland is published". BBC News. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ Carroll, Rory; Courea, Eleni (31 January 2024). "Northern Ireland to get new Brexit trade rules in deal to restore power sharing". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ Ferguson, Amanda (30 January 2024). "Northern Ireland's DUP strikes deal to return to power-sharing government". Reuters.
^ Carroll, Rory; correspondent, Rory Carroll Ireland (30 January 2024). "Northern Irish parties meet to chart Stormont return after DUP backs deal". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 January 2024. {{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
^ "NI strikes: Bus and train workers strike again despite Stormont progress". BBC News. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^ "Stormont returns: who are the likely ministers in the new Northern Ireland Executive?". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
^ "Stormont: Assembly to sit on Saturday as DUP boycott ends". BBC News. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
^ "New Stormont deadline on fresh elections if executive not formed set for February 8th". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
^ McCormack, Jayne (3 February 2024). "Edwin Poots: Who is the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly?". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
^ Hughes, Brendan (3 February 2024). "Michelle O'Neill appointed Northern Ireland's first nationalist first minister". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
^ "Michelle O'Neill: Who is Northern Ireland's history-making first republican leader?". ITV News. 31 January 2024.

[1] Castle, Stephen (30 January 2024). "'A Long Time Coming': Northern Ireland Deal Receives Broad Welcome". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[2] "Brexit: Five steps that led to an Irish Sea border". BBC News. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[3] Pérez-Peña, Richard (30 January 2019). "What Is the Irish Backstop, and Why Is It Holding Up Brexit?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[4] "DUP north-south boycott 'abject breach of pledge'". BBC News. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[5] "Northern Ireland: Sinn Fein secures historic election win – DW – 05/07/2022". dw.com. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[6] "Northern Ireland's largest political party ends 2-year boycott that left people with dysfunctional government". PBS NewsHour. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[7] "DUP: Jeffrey Donaldson's Windsor Framework dilemma". BBC News. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[8] "Who is running Northern Ireland?". BBC News. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[9] Sproule, Luke (12 May 2022). "NI election results 2022: What does Sinn Féin's vote success mean?". BBC News. Retrieved 14 May 2022.

[politico-10] Pogatchnik, Shawn (28 September 2022). "UK warns of snap Northern Ireland election if DUP won't share power". Politico. Retrieved 29 September 2022.

[bbc28oct-11] Cite error: The named reference bbc28oct was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[12] "No Christmas election for Northern Ireland Assembly". BBC News. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

[belfast_telegraph-13] Campbell, Brett (18 October 2022). "Stormont election on December 15 if deadline missed 'even by a minute'". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 19 October 2022.

[14] McCambridge, Jonathan (10 October 2022). "O'Neill cautions against winter election and calls for Stormont return". Evening Standard. Retrieved 10 October 2022.

[15] "NI election looms as Stormont deadline passes". BBC News. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

[16] Simpson, Mark; Andrews, Chris (27 October 2022). "DUP blocks NI government as election call looms". BBC News. Retrieved 27 October 2022.

[17] "NI Secretary voices 'disappointment' but still no election call". ITV News. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

[18] "NI Assembly election to be called but no date set". BBC News. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

[19] Andrews, Chris (28 October 2022). "Q&A: Is Northern Ireland going back to the polls?". BBC News. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

[BBC_2_Nov-20] Cite error: The named reference BBC 2 Nov was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[21] "NI election: Sinn Féin says talks to be held on Tuesday". BBC News. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

[22] "NI election date to be confirmed soon - Steve Baker". BBC News. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

[bbc63510156-23] "Stormont: No NI Assembly election to be held in December". BBC News. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.

[sosni-24] "Secretary of State for Northern Ireland - Statement on Executive Formation". UK Government. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.

[25] ttps://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9939/CBP-9939.pdf

[26] ttps://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/48/enacted

[27] McCormack, Jayne (5 December 2022). "Stormont: MLA pay cut bill passed in House of Lords" – via www.bbc.co.uk.

[28] O'Carroll, Lisa; correspondent, Lisa O'Carroll Brexit (10 November 2022). "Sunak hopes to 'deepen UK-Irish ties' after Micheál Martin meeting". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 January 2024. {{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)

[29] "Rishi Sunak 'confident' of NI Protocol talks breakthrough". BBC News. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[30] "Stormont crisis: NI secretary invites parties to hold deadlock talks". 4 January 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.

[31] McCambridge, Jonathan (11 January 2023). "Sinn Fein pulls out of protocol meeting after party leader 'excluded'". The Independent. Retrieved 12 January 2023.

[32] McClements, Freya; McQuinn, Cormac (11 January 2023). "Talks to break Stormont deadlock go ahead without any nationalists after 'exclusion' of Sinn Féin leader". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 January 2023.

[33] McCormack, Jayne; Fox, Matt (9 November 2022). "Stormont stalemate: Heaton-Harris pushes back NI election deadline". BBC News. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

[34] Hughes, Brendan (18 January 2023). "Latest Stormont deadline looms but little sign of snap election". BelfastLive.

[auto1-35] Cite error: The named reference auto1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[auto-36] Cite error: The named reference auto was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[auto2-37] "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Organ and Tissue Donation) (changed from Northern Ireland (Executive Formation)) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament".

[38] "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill 2022-23 - House of Commons Library".

[39] "The Windsor Framework". Institute for Government. 27 March 2023.

[40] Press Association (27 February 2023). "Windsor Framework: Sinn Fein and SDLP call for restoration of Assembly following NI Protocol deal". Belfast News Letter.

[41] "DUP: No dissent within the party over Stormont boycott, says leader". BBC News. 5 October 2023.

[42] "NI talks: Discussions on restoring Stormont are over, government says". BBC News. 19 December 2023.

[43] "Stormont Assembly recall could be its last sitting says O'Neill". BBC News. 17 January 2024.

[44] "Stormont stalemate: Deadline to restore Northern Ireland Executive to expire". BBC News. 18 January 2024.

[45] ttps://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9939/

[46] ttps://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3672

[47] "Stormont stalemate: Deadline to restore Northern Ireland Executive to expire". BBC News. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[48] "Strikes: Thousands attend rallies in major strike over pay". BBC News. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[49] "Secretary of State's statement on the NI Executive Formation Deadline". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[50] "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2024".

[51] "DUP set for crunch meeting as party leader briefs members on proposals to end Stormont boycott". ITV Northern Ireland. 29 January 2024.

[52] "DUP mole 'wore a wire' to leak meeting to Jamie Bryson". BBC News. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.

[53] Reporters, Telegraph (30 January 2024). "DUP agrees deal to restore power-sharing at Stormont". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[54] "Leaks, tweets and cries of deceit - but a deal was done". BBC News. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.

[55] "DUP: Next days crucial for Stormont return, says Sinn Féin". BBC News. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.

[56] "NI powersharing government to return after DUP confirms end of boycott". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[57] O'Carroll, Lisa (30 January 2024). "Northern Ireland: what is the power-sharing deal – and could it be blocked?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[58] Sparrow, Andrew (30 January 2024). "Goods to flow freely from GB to NI as part of deal to restore Stormont power sharing, says DUP – as it happened". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[59] "DUP deal aimed at restoring power sharing in Northern Ireland is published". BBC News. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[60] Carroll, Rory; Courea, Eleni (31 January 2024). "Northern Ireland to get new Brexit trade rules in deal to restore power sharing". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[61] Ferguson, Amanda (30 January 2024). "Northern Ireland's DUP strikes deal to return to power-sharing government". Reuters.

[62] Carroll, Rory; correspondent, Rory Carroll Ireland (30 January 2024). "Northern Irish parties meet to chart Stormont return after DUP backs deal". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 January 2024. {{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)

[63] "NI strikes: Bus and train workers strike again despite Stormont progress". BBC News. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.

[64] "Stormont returns: who are the likely ministers in the new Northern Ireland Executive?". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 February 2024.

[65] "Stormont: Assembly to sit on Saturday as DUP boycott ends". BBC News. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.

[66] "New Stormont deadline on fresh elections if executive not formed set for February 8th". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 February 2024.

[67] McCormack, Jayne (3 February 2024). "Edwin Poots: Who is the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly?". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 3 February 2024.

[68] Hughes, Brendan (3 February 2024). "Michelle O'Neill appointed Northern Ireland's first nationalist first minister". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 3 February 2024.

[69] "Michelle O'Neill: Who is Northern Ireland's history-making first republican leader?". ITV News. 31 January 2024.

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@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ==Events==
 [[File:Official portrait of Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson.jpg|thumb|187x187px|DUP leader [[Jeffrey Donaldson]]]]
+If no executive is formed within six months of an Assembly election, the United Kingdom Government's [[Northern Ireland Secretary]] can call a new election early.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sproule |first=Luke |date=12 May 2022 |title=NI election results 2022: What does Sinn Féin's vote success mean? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60786728 |website=BBC News |access-date=14 May 2022}}</ref> On 28 September 2022, [[Chris Heaton-Harris]], the [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]], stated that he had a legal obligation to call an early election on 28 October if no government was formed by that date,<ref name="politico">{{cite news |last=Pogatchnik |first=Shawn |date=28 September 2022 |title=UK warns of snap Northern Ireland election if DUP won't share power |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-warns-northern-ireland-snap-election-dup-wont-share-power/ |website=Politico |access-date=29 September 2022}}</ref> probably<ref name=bbc28oct /> to be held no later than January 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=No Christmas election for Northern Ireland Assembly |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63510156 |work=BBC News |date=4 November 2022 |access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref><ref name="belfast telegraph">{{cite news |last=Campbell |first=Brett |date=18 October 2022 |title=Stormont election on December 15 if deadline missed 'even by a minute' |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/stormont-election-on-december-15-if-deadline-missed-even-by-a-minute-42076217/ |website=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref> [[Sinn Féin]] leader [[Michelle O'Neill]] voiced her opposition to such an election: "The people spoke, and the people asked for a functioning executive, they asked for us to make politics work."<ref>{{cite news |last=McCambridge |first=Jonathan |date=10 October 2022 |title=O'Neill cautions against winter election and calls for Stormont return |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/stormont-people-chris-heatonharris-northern-ireland-sinn-fein-b1031619.html |website=Evening Standard |language=en-GB |access-date=10 October 2022}}</ref> Both the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|UK Prime Minister]] [[Rishi Sunak]] and the [[Tánaiste|Irish Tánaiste]] (Deputy Prime Minister) [[Leo Varadkar]] had urged the DUP to agree to the formation of a Government.<ref>{{cite news |title=NI election looms as Stormont deadline passes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63420931 |work=BBC News |date=27 October 2022 |access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref>
+The parties met on 27 October and failed to elect a Speaker, the fourth time they had met and failed to do so, and no government was formed by the deadline.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Simpson |first1=Mark |last2=Andrews |first2=Chris |date=27 October 2022 |title=DUP blocks NI government as election call looms |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63403379 |work=BBC News |access-date=27 October 2022}}</ref> On 28 October, Heaton-Harris expressed disappointment that no Executive had been formed and acknowledged his legal duty to call an election,<ref>{{Cite web |title=NI Secretary voices 'disappointment' but still no election call |url=https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2022-10-28/people-deserve-government-ni-secretarys-disappointment-as-deadline-passes |website=ITV News |date=28 October 2022 |access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref> but delayed immediately calling one.<ref>{{cite news |title=NI Assembly election to be called but no date set |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63425498 |work=BBC News |date=28 October 2022 |access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref> The chief electoral officer said the election date would likely be 15 December.<ref>{{cite news |last=Andrews |first=Chris |date=28 October 2022 |title=Q&A: Is Northern Ireland going back to the polls? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63345938 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref> The last date that an election could be held under the legislation existing then was 19 January 2023.<ref name="BBC 2 Nov"/>
+On 29 October, Heaton-Harris continued to delay calling an election. [[Claire Hanna]], a Member of Parliament for the SDLP, reacted to the news, saying an election was now "less likely". Heaton-Harris held another round of talks with the political parties on 1 November, amid speculation that the UK government could introduce legislation to delay the need for a new election.<ref>{{cite news |title=NI election: Sinn Féin says talks to be held on Tuesday |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63400016 |work=BBC News |date=29 October 2022 |access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref><ref name="BBC 2 Nov"/> However, Northern Ireland Office Minister [[Steve Baker (politician)|Steve Baker]] said on 2 November that Heaton-Harris "will soon confirm the date of the next Northern Ireland Assembly election as required by law."<ref>{{Cite news |title=NI election date to be confirmed soon - Steve Baker |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63476737 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |date=2 November 2022 |access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref>
+On 4 November, Heaton-Harris said an election would not be held in December.<ref name=bbc63510156>{{Cite news |date=4 November 2022 |title=Stormont: No NI Assembly election to be held in December |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63510156 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref> On 9 November, he said that he would be introducing legislation to (retrospectively) extend the deadline to form a new Assembly Executive to 8 December 2022, with the option for an additional 6-week extension.<ref name=sosni /> The requisite legislation, the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022,<ref>https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9939/CBP-9939.pdf</ref><ref>https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/48/enacted</ref> was passed by the Westminster Parliament on 6 December 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63867082|title=Stormont: MLA pay cut bill passed in House of Lords|last=McCormack|first=Jayne|date=5 December 2022|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
 In November 2022, [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British prime minister]] [[Rishi Sunak]] and [[Tánaiste|Tánaiste of Ireland]] [[Micheál Martin]] met in [[Blackpool]] at the [[British–Irish Council|British-Irish Council]] summit.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Carroll |first=Lisa |last2=correspondent |first2=Lisa O'Carroll Brexit |date=2022-11-10 |title=Sunak hopes to ‘deepen UK-Irish ties’ after Micheál Martin meeting |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/nov/10/sunak-hopes-to-deepen-uk-irish-ties-after-micheal-martin-meeting |access-date=2024-01-31 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Sunak said he was confident a breakthrough in negotiations over the Northern Ireland Protocol were possible.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-10 |title=Rishi Sunak 'confident' of NI Protocol talks breakthrough |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63576250 |access-date=2024-01-31 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
+The December 2022 deadline passed without any resolution. The deadline was extended to 19 January 2023. Heaton-Harris invited the parties to new talks on 11 January 2023 to discuss the situation,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-64166307|title=Stormont crisis: NI secretary invites parties to hold deadlock talks|date=4 January 2023|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> but Sinn Féin pulled out in protest at the exclusion of its President, [[Mary Lou McDonald]], after which the SDLP refused to take part as well.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/james-cleverly-sinn-fein-mary-lou-mcdonald-northern-ireland-chris-heatonharris-b2260115.html|title=Sinn Fein pulls out of protocol meeting after party leader 'excluded'|last=McCambridge|first=Jonathan|date=11 January 2023|website=The Independent|accessdate=12 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/01/11/northern-ireland-stormont-talks-latest/|title=Talks to break Stormont deadlock go ahead without any nationalists after 'exclusion' of Sinn Féin leader|last1=McClements|first1=Freya|last2=McQuinn|first2=Cormac|date=11 January 2023|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=12 January 2023}}</ref>
+Under the then legislation, the latest possible date for the next election, if an Executive is not formed, was 13 April 2023.<ref name=sosni>{{cite web |title=Secretary of State for Northern Ireland - Statement on Executive Formation |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/secretary-of-state-for-northern-ireland-statement-on-executive-formation |website=UK Government |language=en-GB |access-date=11 November 2022 |date=9 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McCormack |first1=Jayne |last2=Fox |first2=Matt |date=9 November 2022 |title=Stormont stalemate: Heaton-Harris pushes back NI election deadline |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63562122 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref> The deadline to form an Executive passed on 19 January 2023, but Heaton-Harris played down the prospect of him calling a snap election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/latest-stormont-deadline-looms-little-26009494|title=Latest Stormont deadline looms but little sign of snap election|first=Brendan|last=Hughes|date=18 January 2023|website=BelfastLive}}</ref>
+Under then existing legislation, Heaton-Harris had to call an election by the end of the first week of March 2023. However, he proposed a further extension, with a new deadline to form an Executive of 18 January 2024 proposed.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto"/> This was achieved through the [[Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Organ and Tissue Donation) Act 2023]],<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3416|title=Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Organ and Tissue Donation) (changed from Northern Ireland (Executive Formation)) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament}}</ref> which completed its passage through the Westminster Parliament in late February 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9725/|title=Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill 2022-23 - House of Commons Library}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/>
+On 27 February 2023, the UK and EU announced the [[Windsor Framework]] to make changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/windsor-framework|title=The Windsor Framework|website=Institute for Government|date=27 March 2023 }}</ref> It was hoped that this would lead to formation of an Assembly executive.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/windsor-framework-sinn-fein-and-sdlp-call-for-restoration-of-assembly-following-ni-protocol-deal-4043858|title=Windsor Framework: Sinn Fein and SDLP call for restoration of Assembly following NI Protocol deal|author=Press Association|date=27 February 2023|work=Belfast News Letter}}</ref> However, the DUP boycott continued.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67022972 | title=DUP: No dissent within the party over Stormont boycott, says leader | work=BBC News | date=5 October 2023 }}</ref> Talks with the DUP continued without success through to December.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67749088 | title=NI talks: Discussions on restoring Stormont are over, government says | work=BBC News | date=19 December 2023 }}</ref>
+The Assembly was recalled on 17 January 2024. The DUP position was unchanged.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67996628 | title=Stormont Assembly recall could be its last sitting says O'Neill | work=BBC News | date=17 January 2024 }}</ref> Heaton-Harris said that he would, again, bring primary legislation to further extend the deadline to 8 February 2024, via the [[Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill 2024]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-67945967 | title=Stormont stalemate: Deadline to restore Northern Ireland Executive to expire | work=BBC News | date=18 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9939/</ref> This came into law on 25 January 2024.<ref>https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3672</ref>
 On 18 January 2024, the legal deadline to restore power-sharing was passed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-18 |title=Stormont stalemate: Deadline to restore Northern Ireland Executive to expire |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-67945967 |access-date=2024-01-31 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The same day the largest [[general strike]] in more than 50 years was held across [[Northern Ireland]], in protest over pay.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-18 |title=Strikes: Thousands attend rallies in major strike over pay |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67981000 |access-date=2024-01-31 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]] [[Chris Heaton-Harris]] released a statement on the situation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secretary of State's statement on the NI Executive Formation Deadline |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/secretary-of-states-statement-on-the-ni-executive-formation-deadline |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> In 25 January, the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2024 was introduced to extend the period necessary for restoration of government without [[Next Northern Ireland Assembly election|calling a snap election]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2024 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2024/2/enacted}}</ref> On 29 January 2024, an urgent meeting of the [[Democratic Unionist Party]] executive was called following the passing over the deadline to restore power sharing at Stormont.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 January 2024 |title=DUP set for crunch meeting as party leader briefs members on proposals to end Stormont boycott |url=https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2024-01-29/dup-set-for-crunch-party-meeting-as-powersharing-deal-speculation-intensifies |website=ITV Northern Ireland}}</ref> Details of the meeting was reportedly leaked to the BBC.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-30 |title=DUP mole 'wore a wire' to leak meeting to Jamie Bryson |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-68140442 |access-date=2024-01-30 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reporters |first=Telegraph |date=2024-01-30 |title=DUP agrees deal to restore power-sharing at Stormont |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/01/30/dup-deal-power-sharing-stormont-northern-ireland-brexit/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> [[Jeffrey Donaldson]] revealed in the morning that his party would return to Stormont.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-30 |title=Leaks, tweets and cries of deceit - but a deal was done |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-68137351 |access-date=2024-01-30 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-30 |title=DUP: Next days crucial for Stormont return, says Sinn Féin |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-68136950 |access-date=2024-01-30 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> This end of the boycott was welcomed by [[Sinn Féin]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NI powersharing government to return after DUP confirms end of boycott |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/02/02/ni-power-sharing-government-to-return-after-dup-confirms-end-of-boycott/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>