The powersharing institutions were established following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and ministers held their first Executive meeting in December the following year. Then Northern Ireland secretary Peter Mandelson (PA)However, in February 2000 the institutions were suspended by then Secretary of State Peter Mandelson due to a lack of progress on IRA decommissioning. After a statement from the IRA pledging to put arms “completely and verifiably” beyond use, the Assembly and Executive were restored in May 2000. The paper said: “Northern Ireland is on the cusp of a new beginning. “It is a beginning that offers the real prospect of enduring political stability and self-government.

Source: The Herald December 30, 2025 00:18 UTC