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Murder

Northern Ireland Assembly to Meet Amid Crisis Over IRA

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Northern Ireland Assembly is set to reconvene following a tumultuous summer marked by a crisis over the IRA's return to activity. The Democratic Unionists, the largest party at Stormont, had sought a four-week adjournment but ultimately agreed to return to the chamber. Intensive talks are underway to address the issue, with the British and Irish governments seeking to secure full implementation of the Agreement and deal with the aftermath of the IRA's continued paramilitary activity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Democratic Unionists had requested a four-week adjournment to allow for a "period of calm" following the killing of former IRA member Kevin McGuigan, but ultimately decided to return to the Assembly chamber.
  • Intensive talks are underway this week at Stormont House, led by Secretary of State Theresa Villiers and Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan, to address the crisis and secure full implementation of the Agreement.
  • The talks aim to deal with issues arising from the impact of continued paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, including the failure to implement the Stormont House Agreement and the breakdown in power-sharing institutions.
  • The Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein have been at odds over welfare reform, which has plunged the devolved administration at Stormont into financial peril.
  • The British Government has announced plans to legislate on welfare reform if the Stormont parties cannot reach agreement.
  • The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has stated that while aspects of the Provisional IRA have gone away, the organisation still exists for peaceful purposes, and its active service units no longer exist.

Statistics:

  • 17 years: the length of time Northern Ireland's institutions have been plagued by crisis after crisis.
  • 4 weeks: the duration of the adjournment sought by the Democratic Unionists to address the crisis.
  • 2: the number of British and Irish government officials leading intensives talks at Stormont House.

Sources:

  • BBC: "Northern Ireland Assembly to meet amid crisis over IRA"
  • The Irish Times: "Talks to be held at Stormont House to deal with crisis over IRA"
  • Police Service of Northern Ireland: "Statement on Provisional IRA activity"

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