The Return of Stormont: A Revitalised Government
March 7, 2024
In the recent resurgence of power-sharing at Stormont, a much-anticipated development unfolded as the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ceased its protest against Parliament, grounded in concerns over the Northern Ireland protocol post-Brexit. As parliamentary activities resume, there are various questions to consider. How did we arrive here? What does it mean? And what is to come?
The chambers of the Northern Ireland Assembly in the Stormont region of East Belfast fell silent in May 2022, marking almost two years of legislative hiatus due to the rejection of the Northern Ireland protocol. The lack of action is undeniably disconcerting, but it is not the first time nor the longest period over which it has occurred, previous suspensions elapsed from 2017-2020 as well as 2002-2007, making a simple 21 month break somewhat of a relief.
On January 30th, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson made a pivotal announcement – the restoration of an executive government led by Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly. The catalyst for this breakthrough was the unveiling of the command paper titled "Safeguarding the Union". This comprehensive document aims to streamline domestic imports and foster trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, effectively maximising flexibility under the EU/UK deal. A notable outcome of this initiative is the assurance that no routine checks on goods moving between GB and NI will be imposed.
For the first time since Stormont’s founding, Sinn Fein will make up the majority of the assembly. While the first and deputy first ministers share equal power, the historic appointment of Michelle O’Neill as the first republican leader of Northern Ireland carries profound symbolic weight. Mary Lou McDonald, the party leader, claimed last week that Irish unity is within touching distance. While cautioning against undue optimism, the palpable move is noteworthy, particularly given Sinn Féin's popularity in the Republic of Ireland, where an election is anticipated within the next year.
Unsurprisingly, there is a long list of things to do after nearly two years of political paralysis.The UK has offered a £3.3 billion package to stabilise Northern Ireland’s finances which should kickstart some progress. Civil servants, who admirably held the fort during the political impasse, now await the return of elected legislators to fully address the backlog of issues. Resolving public sector pay, exacerbated by a mid-January walkout of 100,000 workers, emerges as an urgent priority. The healthcare sector, mirroring England's struggles, grapples with 79% of patients on waiting lists, significantly surpassing the average in England of 43%. This starkly underscores the detrimental impact of a non-functional legislative body on essential public services.
From the vantage point of the Good Friday Agreement, there emerges significant room for optimism. The agreement, firmly anchored in the principles of power-sharing between unionist and nationalist communities, finds renewed expression in the reunion of an executive government comprising such parties. This, coupled with the restoration of a more stable political environment, propels Northern Ireland toward a governance structure
reflective of the values envisioned by the agreement. As Stormont reengages in political discourse and decision-making, the potential for constructive dialogue, collaborative governance, and positive change beckons on the horizon.
In honour of Mo Mowlam, we are creating a collage called In Her Footsteps . This collage of pictures of ordinary, everyday women in our community will pay tribute to the unsung heroes, past and present, who have shaped our values and made the world we live in a better place, such as our nurses, Irish mammies, nannies, and any woman who we find inspirational. The collage will be on display at the Coventry Irish Society and will be unveiled at the Equal-i-tea on 19 August 2025 . If you would like to contribute to the collage, then please could you send us a photograph together with the name of your nominated person and a short sentence or two on who they are and why they inspire you. This will be quite a big project and therefore we will not be able to return photographs. We would also ask that written consent is obtained from any living person to be featured in the collage. Contributions can be handed to a member of staff in the office or emailed to: cis@covirishsoc.org.uk up and until 23 July 2025.
Mo Mowlam was a real changemaker; her courage and humanity played a vital role in bringing about The Good Friday Agreement / Belfast Agreement. Mo was an extraordinary, inspirational woman, and we’re very proud of her Coventry roots. We invite you to join us at our cross-community Equal-i-tea on Tuesday 19 August 2025 to celebrate Mo’s life and values on the 20th anniversary of her passing. Join us for a cross-community afternoon tea & an opportunity to learn more about Mo and her values as a peace builder. We will also unveil our community collage; In Her Footsteps – A tribute to the everyday women in our community who have shaped our values and made the world a better place. Time: 12.00 – 3.00 pm Venue: The Coventry Irish Society, 2nd Floor, Eaton House, Eaton Road, Coventry CV1 2FJ Admission: £10 per person (which covers entry and an afternoon tea with sandwiches and cake). Advanced booking is essential for this ticket-only event. Tickets can be obtained by seeing a member of staff in the office, or by emailing: cis@covirishsoc.org.uk or by telephoning us on 024 7625 6629.
We are hiring for an Early Stage Memory Loss Support Worker This post contract is initially for 1 year - role extension TBC additional funding. Salary: £10,000 P.A (£25,000 pro rata), 15 hours per week. Role pattern is 10am-4pm, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday (excluding lunch). About us: Established in 1993, Coventry Irish Society (CIS) is a Charity providing a wide range of community health and support services to the Irish Community in Coventry. The Coventry Irish Society requires an Early Stage Memory Loss Support Worker to facilitate a 1 half day per week Memory Loss Support Group and a half-day per week Walking Group for the local Irish Community. The role includes working with Carers and increasing mental health awareness to support the local Irish Community. The charity predominantly supports Irish Elders, but also supports Second and Third generation Irish, Irish Survivors and Irish Travellers. To apply for this role, please email your CV with cover letter detailing your experience and skills in line with role requirements and any additional information you think may be relevant. Download and view full job role description below.
