Share this @internewscast.com

LONDON — An Irish nationalist made history Saturday by becoming Northern Ireland’s first minister as the government returned to work after a two-year boycott by unionists.

Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O’Neill was nominated as first minister in the government that under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday peace accord shares power between Northern Ireland’s two main communities — British unionists who want to stay in the U.K., and Irish nationalists who seek to unite with Ireland. Northern Ireland was established as a unionist, Protestant-majority part of the U.K. in 1921, following independence for the Republic of Ireland.

“The days of second-class citizenship are long gone. Today confirms that they are never coming back,” O’Neill said. “As an Irish republican, I pledge cooperation and genuine honest effort with those colleagues who are British, of a unionist tradition, and who cherish the Union. This is an assembly for all — Catholic, Protestant and dissenter.”

Neither side can govern without agreement from the other. Government business ground to a half over the past two years after the Democratic Unionist Party walked out to protest trade issues related to Brexit.

O’Neill will share power with deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly from the DUP. The two will be equals, but O’Neill, whose party captured more seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly in the 2022 elections, will hold the more prestigious title.

Former DUP leader Edwin Poots was elected as speaker of the chamber.

O’Neill, 47, was elected to the Stormont Assembly in 2007 and comes from a family of Irish republicans. Her party, Sinn Fein, was affiliated with the militant Irish Republican Army during the Troubles, a period of about 30 years of violent conflict over the future of Northern Ireland which ended with the Good Friday Agreement.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, who helped broker the historic peace agreement, was in the gallery at the assembly to see O’Neill’s nomination.

Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O’Neill walks through Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. O’Neill is poised to make history by becoming the first Irish nationalist leader of Northern Ireland as the government returned to work after a two-year boycott by unionists.(AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

The return to government came exactly two years after a DUP boycott over a dispute about trade restrictions for goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain. Northern Ireland’s 1.9 million people were left without a functioning administration as the cost of living soared and public services were strained.

An open border between the north and the republic was a key pillar of the peace process that ended the Troubles, so checks were imposed instead between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K.

An agreement a year ago between the U.K. and the EU, known as the Windsor Framework, eased customs checks and other hurdles but didn’t go far enough for the DUP, which continued its boycott.

The U.K. government this week agreed to new changes that would eliminate routine checks and paperwork for most goods entering Northern Ireland, although some checks will remain for illegal goods or disease prevention.

Jeffrey Donaldson, leader of the DUP, speaks to the media at Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill is set to become the first nationalist first minister following a two-year political collapse. Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will gather at Parliament Buildings at Stormont on Saturday for a sitting where ministers will be appointed to a powersharing executive, bringing an end to the impasse.(AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

The new changes included legislation “affirming Northern Ireland’s constitutional status” as part of the U.K. and gives local politicians “democratic oversight” of any future EU laws that might apply to Northern Ireland.

The U.K. government also agreed to give Northern Ireland more than 3 billion pounds ($3.8 billion) for its battered public services once the Belfast government is back up and running.

“I believe that my party has delivered what many said we couldn’t,” DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said outside the assembly chamber in Stormont. “We have brought about change that many said was not possible, and I believe that today is a good day for Northern Ireland, a day when once again our place in the United Kingdom and its internal market is respected and protected in our law and restored for all our people to enjoy the benefits of our membership of the union.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Friday Flyover: Lindblom High School

Friday Aerial View: Lindblom High School Learns to Soar

VILLA PARK, Ill. (WLS) — This week, we feature Lindblom High School…
Jacksonville man arrested for possession of CSAM

Jacksonville Resident Charged with CSAM Possession

Police said that the man had over 400 files on various devices…
OpenAI now worth $500 billion, possibly making it the world's most valuable startup

OpenAI Valued at $500 Billion, Potentially the World’s Most Valuable Startup

OpenAI may now hold the title of the world’s most valuable startup,…
Trial day 2 explores evidence in Prince Holland case

Second Day of Hearings Delves into Prince Holland Case Evidence

Jurors were shown of crime scene photos, walked through bullet-ridden evidence and…
Tim Allen puts things in 'reverse' for season debut of ABC's 'Shifting Gears,' invites some special visitors from his TV past

Tim Allen Rewinds for ABC’s ‘Shifting Gears’ Season Premiere, Welcomes Special Guests from Past TV Shows

BURBANK, Calif. — “Shifting Gears” is revving up for its second season.…
'9-1-1' season nine preview: Mark Consuelos sends two beloved members of the 118 to space, chaos ensues

Preview of ‘9-1-1’ Season Nine: Mark Consuelos Sends Two Favorite Characters from the 118 Unit into Space, Leading to Mayhem

“9-1-1” fans, it looks like season nine is going to be out…
JSO: Man shot during argument with suspect on Moncrief Road

JSO: Argument on Moncrief Road Leads to Shooting

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the man suffered a non-life-threatening injury after…
Immigration judge denies Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s bid for asylum, but he has 30 days to appeal

Judge Rejects Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Asylum Request, He Has 30 Days to File an Appeal

A U.S. immigration judge on Wednesday denied a bid for asylum from…
Flashback, 2020: Dem Candidates Unanimously Favor Free Healthcare for Illegal Aliens

Looking Back to 2020: Democratic Candidates Support Free Healthcare for Undocumented Immigrants

Notice how, now that the country is caught up in the Schumer…
Bryan Kohberger says he was diagnosed with 4 mental disorders before guilty plea: report

Idaho Judge Describes Bryan Kohberger Crime Scene Photos as ‘Deeply Disturbing,’ Halts Their Public Release

A judge in Idaho has blocked the release of graphic images from…
President Donald Trump pauses $2.1B for Chicago infrastructure projects, leveraging shutdown to pressure Democrats

Trump Halts $2.1 Billion for Chicago Infrastructure, Using Shutdown to Sway Democrats

CHICAGO — White House budget director Russ Vought announced that the Trump…
Texas megachurch founder Robert Morris pleads guilty to child sex abuse charges

Texas Megachurch Leader Robert Morris Admits to Child Sexual Abuse Offenses

The founder of a Texas megachurch, who stepped down last year following…