About: Northern Ireland Peace Process
Sinn Féin leaders give backing to EU in NI Protocol dispute
Sinn Féin leaders Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill on Wednesday (1 June) gave their backing for the EU's implementation of the controversial Northern Ireland protocol and called for support in resolving the political impasse in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Fein set to top polls in Northern Ireland elections
Sinn Fein, which supports a united Ireland, is set to top the poll at next Thursday’s (5 May) Northern Ireland Assembly elections, which would see it in line to take the First Minister post in the devolved government for the first time.
EU offers deal on British trade to Northern Ireland but leaves Court role unchanged
The European Union offered the UK on Wednesday (13 October) a package of measures aimed at brokering a compromise to the long–running dispute over trade to Northern Ireland but without meeting London's demands on the role of the European Court of Justice.
Overhauling Irish protocol is ‘prerequisite’ to return to ‘normal’ relations, says UK minister
UK Brexit minister David Frost warned on Tuesday (12 September) that overhauling the Northern Ireland protocol was a “prerequisite” for repairing the current “fractious” relations between the UK and Brussels.
Protocol row reopens Unionist fears of another Northern Ireland sell–out
Sell–out, betrayal and sacrifice are all key words in the lexicon of Northern Irish politics for both the nationalist and unionist communities, and those in between. Brexit, and the Northern Ireland protocol, in particular, have brought them back into popular use.
UK will set out plans to overhaul Irish protocol in weeks, say ministers
The UK plans to publish new plans aimed at overhauling the Northern Ireland Protocol later this month, ministers said on Thursday (8 July).
Macron plays on EU unity as Brexit row overshadows summit
French President Emmanuel Macron sought to portray a united European front at the G7 summit on Friday (11 June), tweeting a picture of the five EU leaders together, in a thinly veiled warning to the UK that the EU is united about the implementation of the Brexit agreement.
Northern Ireland marks 100 years, divided
Northern Ireland marks its 100th year on Monday (3 May), but faltering efforts to commemorate the centenary encapsulate the rift at the heart of the British province.
Johnson urged to convene all-party talks following riots in Northern Ireland
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been urged to convene all-party talks on Northern Ireland after the sixth night of riots in the province on Wednesday (7 April) left more than 50 police officers injured.
Biden says UK border with Ireland must remain open
US President-elect Joe Biden said on Tuesday (24 November) he did not want to see a guarded border between Ireland and the United Kingdom, adding that he had previously discussed the matter with the British and Irish prime ministers and other European leaders.
Northern Ireland peace pays dividends in Bogota, Bougainville and Beirut
At a time when the Brexit divorce deal hangs on a magic formula not to harm the Good Friday Agreement, Julian Oliver reminds that Northern Ireland peace served as a model in other parts of the world.
Once again, the hand of history hovers over Ireland
Northern Ireland is unique and unique solutions must be found to ensure that Brexit does not threaten the Irish peace process, twenty years after the landmark Good Friday Agreement writes Dr Melanie Sully.
The Brief – The long Good Friday
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement – a political deal that put an end to decades of terror and tensions.
UK has yet to see post-Brexit challenges, former Irish minister says
Britain, the former sick man of Europe, has seen its economy grow strongly in the EU. It is making a major mistake by leaving the bloc and the customs union and does not even realise what serious challenges it will face in the future, says former Irish minister Dara Murphy.
EU Northern Ireland offer sparks Brexit war of words
An EU proposal to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit has prompted a war of words between London and Brussels, with UK Prime Minister Theresa May saying it would threaten the “constitutional integrity” of the UK.
Brexit and the ghosts of Ireland’s past
Negotiations in Northern Ireland have a law of their own. The Good Friday Agreement came about after months of painstaking diplomacy between London, Belfast and Dublin. Brexit will be no different, writes Dr Melanie Sully.
The case for Northern Ireland remaining in the EU single market
The issue of how to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland and keep the 1998 peace deal on track has become the biggest challenge to the progress of Brexit talks. Stephen Farry explains how it can be overcome.
EU says united Ireland would be automatic full member
European Union leaders promised on Saturday (29 April) to welcome Northern Ireland into the EU if a referendum in the future were to unite it with the Republic of Ireland.
Spain ‘not worried’ about united Ireland joining the EU
Spain will not raise any objections to a statement at the European Council summit tomorrow (29 April) recognising that a united Ireland would be an EU member state, according to an EU diplomatic source with knowledge of Spain's position in the Brexit negotiations.
Northern Ireland power-sharing talks on hold in political spat
Talks on forming a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland broke up for the Easter holiday yesterday (12 April), six weeks into bitter negotiations which have failed to resolve the deadlock.
Hübner: No more ‘lies’ in Brexit negotiations
The 48% of British people who voted remain in the EU referendum last year need to be taken into account in the negotiation process, said Polish MEP Danuta Hübner, the powerful chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs.
Kenny casts doubt over date for Article 50
Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny has cast doubt on expectations that UK Prime Minister Theresa May will trigger Article 50, the legal process to divorce from the EU, at the European Council summit on 9 March.
Brexit: The Northern Ireland conundrum
The implications for Northern Ireland of the UK leaving the EU are more complex and potentially more dangerous than those facing any other region of the UK, writes Dick Roche.