The DUP has been blocking powersharing for more than a year in protest at the internal UK trade barriers created by Brexit’s Northern Ireland Protocol. Ireland’s minister for finance, Michael McGrath, told the assembly that while Dublin-London links are “getting stronger”, parliamentarians can “do better” in working towards restoring Northern Ireland’s institutions. “It will also help us to showcase what the UK and Ireland has to offer to tourists and investors around the world,” he said. We believe that Northern Ireland works best when it is governed locally and I would once again urge all parties to return to powersharing,” he said. Mr Baker said it was Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris’ core priority to restore the region’s institutions.

Source: The Herald October 23, 2023 11:57 UTC