By Tony O’Reilly-
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has agreed a deal restore power sharing to Northern Ireland, subject to legislation by the UK government.
The party collapsed the power-sharing government nearly two years ago in protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements that have created trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says his party will restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland, subject to the UK government tabling and passing new legislative measures as agreed in negotiations.
He said the package of measures would provide the basis for the return of devolved government.
Sir Jeffrey said 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.
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However, he warned that the DUP would only be able to move after the UK government delivers on implementing the agreement.
“Both our party officers and party executive have mandated me to move forward… on the basis of the proposals brought forward by the government, subject to and on the basis of the government delivering measures of that package,” he said.
Sir Jeffrey said that he believed the government could move quickly to bring forward legislation to implement what had been agreed.
Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein leader, said she was “optimistic” having heard the news from Sir Jeffrey.
“Sinn Féin will now engage with the parties and both governments to ensure we now all press on without delay,” she said.
“It is vital there is political stability to address the scale of the crisis across our public services.
“Let’s now focus minds on the job at hand and to the solutions required to support workers and families who want and deserve functioning government.”
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton Harris welcomed the step and made clear the government would deliver on its end of the deal.
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