Sinn Fein said that a united Ireland was “within touching range” as it prepared to take on the role of Northern Ireland First Minister for the first.
Mary Lou McDonald stated on Tuesday that a agreement reached between the Democratic Unionist Party and the UK Government would result in the restoration of power-sharing. She said that this was part of an “historical turn of the wheel” which will unite the island.
“In historical terms, it’s within touching distance. I think that’s a really exciting thing. I hope that people find that conversation very welcoming,” said Sinn Fein Leader.
According to a rapid political choreography which is expected to unfold in Westminster on Wednesday and Thurday, Michelle O’Neill could become the first minister of Stormont’s executive by the weekend.
McDonald stated that “that will be a very significant moment, not just because we haven’t had a government in so long, but also because it will mark the first time we will have a Sinn Fein, a Nationalist, as our first minister.”
O’Neill was the putative first premier of the region when Sinn Fein overtook DUP in the 2022 Assembly Elections. Stormont was mothballed by a DUP boycott in protest at post-Brexit trade arrangements.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson signalled the end of two years of deadlock on Tuesday morning when a turbulent meeting of 130 members of the party executive endorsed a agreement for reviving power sharing.
Donaldson stated that the deal would remove restrictions on goods moving within the UK. “That was our main objective, and I think what we have achieved represents real change. Everyone will be able see it themselves.”
He has pledged “zero customs paperwork, zero checks on goods moving in the United Kingdom”. The DUP’s endorsement is contingent on the passage of two statutory acts at Westminster that will give legislative effect Downing Street’s commitments to trade and sovereignty.
Chris Heaton Harris, UK Northern Ireland Secretary, said that the deal included a “vast assortment of decent improvements”. It will be published on Tuesday. The legislation will be fast tracked through Westminster by Thursday. A spokesperson for Rishi sunak said that the deal is a “strong foundation” to restore Stormont.
Downing Street said that the prime minister made a “good decision” when he spoke to Leo Varadkar. Ireland’s taoiseach welcomed the deal, but cautioned that Dublin needed to review the text before they could be sure there would not be any “negative consequences” to the Windsor framework and the Good Friday Agreement. The European Commission also echoed this cautious welcome. A spokesperson said, “We will review those texts at the appropriate time.”
Conservative MPs expressed concerns that the deal could limit Great Britain’s ability to diverge in the future from EU rules to limit the impact on the internal trade of Northern Ireland. Downing Street has said that the deal will not stop the UK from utilizing post-Brexit liberties.
Stormont may be called back as soon as Friday if there are no glitches. The assembly speaker will be elected and an executive made up of Sinn Fein, DUP, Alliance and Ulster Unionist parties appointed. The DUP is entitled to the post of deputy first minister, which has the same power as first minister but with less prestige and symbolism.
O’Neill stated that Stormont was facing an urgent workload. This included a fiscal crisis and deteriorating healthcare. “We still have a long way to go, but we can collectively do better for our people.” We can collectively fight back against the Tory austerity plan, and we can stand together to fight for public services.
Stormont’s restoration is a condition for the government to offer a £3.3bn package. The package includes funding to avoid public sector strikes. However, it does not include funding for transport workers’ strike that will take place on Thursday.
Naomi Long, the Alliance leader, said that the deal’s breakthrough brought “bittersweet feelings” due to the time Stormont was absent.
Matthew O’Toole of the Social Democratic and Labour Party said that it is “not the right time to celebrate with champagne or balloons” after the failures of past two years.
Jim Allister, leader of Traditional Unionist Voice (the hardline voice of traditional unionists), accused the DUP a “tawdry descent” and said that its boycott should be continued.