After 25 years, Ulster takes control of its own affairs again
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.POWER WAS devolved to Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive last night after 25 years of direct rule from Westminster. The transfer came at midnight, ushering in a new and hopefully more peaceful era.
Northern Ireland politicians last held power in 1974, in a cross-community government that lasted only five months before it was swept away by a tide of loyalist protest.
A north-south ministerial council, which forms another part of the new constitutional architecture, met yesterday, ratifying plans for cross- border co-operation between the new executive and Dublin.
Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein said he was " disappointed" after Protestant pupils at a school in the Co Down village of Kilkeel walked out in protest over his appointment as Minister for Education. He said he was greatly encouraged by the general level of support he had received. He added: "There are difficulties for all in a situation of change, but change is necessary and our job is to manage that change in a sensitive way."
The Irish Republic will today change, as part of the new deal, the two articles of its constitution long condemned by Unionists as an unwarranted claim on their territory.
The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, warned republican rebels yesterday: "This government will not tolerate an attack by dissident organisations. There is no vestige of an excuse today for any organisation that would call itself republican to repudiate or deny the living democracy that now exists in Ireland, both north and south."
Today the IRA is to appoint an interlocutor to discuss arms decommissioning.
Leading article,
Review, page 3
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments