Northern Ireland could see a return of a functioning government as soon as this weekend as the region's parties have been summoned for a sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly on Saturday, February 3.
On Thursday, two motions to give effect to the British government’s 'Safeguarding The Union' package were approved in the House of Commons without the need for a formal vote.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), who brought down power-sharing in Northern Ireland in protest of some post-Brexit trade arrangements in February 2022, had announced on Tuesday that it would conditionally endorse the package, paving the way for the long-awaited restoration of Stormont.
With the motions approved by the British government, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, head of the DUP, wrote to Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Alex Maskey on Thursday saying in part: "There now exists a basis upon which you can confidently arrange for the Northern Ireland Assembly to meet at which the offices of Speaker, Deputy Speakers, First and Deputy First Ministers, and Ministers would be filled."
Maskey, in turn, wrote to MLAs on Thursday notifying them that the Assembly has been summoned to meet on Saturday at 1 pm.
Maskey said he will be meeting with Party Whips at noon on Friday to discuss the arrangements for Saturday's sitting, and that an Order Paper would be issued in advance.
Northern Ireland's Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said on Thursday that he was "delighted" that the DUP had "taken this next step to work with the other Northern Ireland Parties to recall the Assembly."
He added: “The Government made commitments to introduce legislation in our Command Paper and we have now followed through on those commitments.
“I look forward to working with the new First Minister, deputy First Minister, and all the Ministers in a returned Northern Ireland Executive, alongside Northern Ireland Assembly members, to improve the lives of people living here.”
NEW: Secretary of State @chhcalling has welcomed the request made by @J_Donaldson_MP to work with the other parties to recall the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Read the full statement here ?https://t.co/NshbTIr39R pic.twitter.com/ZGQVrF5Tda
— Northern Ireland Office (@NIOgov) February 1, 2024
Michelle O'Neill, the vice president of Sinn Féin who is set to become the First Minister of Northern Ireland, said on Thursday that the Assembly meeting had been confirmed and that parties will come together "to form an Executive and get Ministers back in office to take decisions to support workers, families and public services."
She added: "I am determined to lead an Executive as a First Minister for all, and to build a better future for all our people and communities."
Sinn Féin became the largest party in Northern Ireland for the first time during the May 2022 elections. As such, O'Neill is entitled to the First Minister position, becoming the first nationalist to fill the role.
It has been confirmed that the Assembly will meet on Saturday, as we come together to form an Executive and get Ministers back in office to take decisions to support workers, families and public services.
I am determined to lead an Executive as a First Minister for all, and to…
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) February 1, 2024
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