Northern Ireland's DUP agrees on power-sharing deal with UK government

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Northern Island's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has agreed to endorse a deal to restore power-sharing following almost two years of political deadlock.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said that they will return to power-sharing at the Northern Ireland Assembly, subject to an agreement with the UK government.

Since the election of May 2022, Irish nationalists and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) have failed to reach an agreement to form a new Executive in Belfast.

After winning the most seats in a historic result, Sinn Fein nominated its leader and vice president, Michelle O’Neill, as the first minister. But, the DUP had since refused to appoint a deputy, which deepened Northern Ireland’s political deadlock.

During a news conference in the wee hours of Tuesday, Donaldson said that he believed the deal would safeguard Northern Ireland's place within the UK and crucially from the DUP's point of view, would remove checks on goods moving within the UK and remaining in Northern Ireland.

“I am pleased to report that the party executive has now endorsed the proposals that I have put to the party ... The result was clear, the DUP has been decisive, I have been mandated to move forward," he said.

Sinn Fein’s leader, Mary Lou McDonald, expressed optimism Stormont could return before a Feb. 8 legislative deadline for forming an administration, saying: "Sinn Fein will now engage with the parties and both governments to ensure we now all press on without delay."

Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheal Martin welcomed the DUP's decision adding that he looks forwards to working with the Executive and Assembly in the time ahead.

"The imminent return of the Assembly and Executive is good news for the people of Northern Ireland, and the Good Friday Agreement," he said.

In a statement, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said: "This is a welcome and significant step."

"I am pleased that the DUP have agreed to accept the package of measures that the UK Government has put forward and as a result they are ready to return to the Northern Ireland Assembly and nominate representatives to the Northern Ireland Executive," he added.

Heaton-Harris said that he hopes to be able to finalize the deal with the political parties as soon as possible. ​​​​​​​