Northern Ireland Assembly set for return as MPs vote today on UK-DUP deal
The British measures which secured the Democratic Unionist Party’s return to powersharing are expected to become law today, paving the way for the imminent restoration of North Ireland’s political institutions.
MPs will vote on two pieces of legislation following a debate in the House of Commons, but this is a formality as it has the support of both the British government and its official opposition.
The outgoing speaker of the North’s Assembly, Alex Maskey, wrote to MLAs on Wednesday to inform them preparations were being made to enable a sitting to take place at short notice.
Top News Stories
- Revenue may investigate RTÉ exit payments amid staff ‘outrage’ at severance deals: An independent report into exit packages paid to RTÉ staff under a voluntary redundancy scheme has said the Revenue Commissioners may wish to investigate whether tax was paid correctly in several cases.
- Construction inflation eases but shortage of workers now the main challenge: Inflation in the construction sector fell below 4 per cent last year as “stabilising material prices, reductions in energy costs and greater competitiveness” eased cost pressures on firms.
- EU leaders set for showdown with Hungary’s Orban in push to unblock Ukraine aid: European Union leaders head into a high-stakes summit in Brussels on Thursday as they seek to persuade Hungary’s Viktor Orban to drop his veto on much-needed financial aid for Ukraine.
- RTÉ takes legal action over climate reporting: RTÉ has taken an action in the High Court to maintain journalistic confidentiality over records on climate change reporting, saying it runs the risk of having its offices raided and papers seized.
- Check out today's Most Read stories
- Join The Irish Times WhatsApp channel for breaking news straight to your phone.
News from around the World
- US attacks drones in Yemen, shoots down three Iranian drones amid escalating tensions in region: The United States struck up to 10 unmanned drones in Yemen that were preparing to launch, a US official said late on Wednesday, amid escalating tensions from the war in Gaza spreading through the region.
The Big Read
- Who is the Latvian MEP linked to Wallace and Daly, accused of working with Russian intelligence?: Tatjana Ždanoka was a fringe figure in the European Parliament: someone who had opposed Latvia’s independence from the Soviet Union and reliably championed viewpoints sympathetic to the Kremlin. Most MEPs kept their distance. Two MEPs who didn’t were Ireland’s left independent MEPs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace.
The best from Opinion
- Finn McRedmond: Ryan Tubridy’s London dilemma: what to do with the Irishness?
- Minister Eamon Ryan: We need a bigger state
Today's Business
- Dissident Ires founder sought extra fees in failed management deal talks: Ires Reit’s Canadian founder, which will support a planned boardroom coup at the property group this month, sought a significant hike in potential fees from the Irish company in talks in late 2020 to extend an asset management contract, according to sources.
Today’s Sports
- France’s Fabien Galthié: We have been preparing for the Ireland match for two months: Galthié's selection seems relatively cautious, with the immediate objective of beating Ireland en route to a tilt at another Grand Slam rather than talk of four-year cycles
Martyn Turner
Video & Podcast Highlights
In the News: Why is China interested in Ireland?
READ MORE
Blindboy: ‘I left my first day of school feeling great shame. The pain of that still rises up in me’
What time is the Katie Taylor v Amanda Serrano fight? Irish start time, Netflix details and all you need to know
Gladiator II review: Don’t blame Paul Mescal but there’s no good reason for this jumbled sequel to exist
Spice Village takeaway review: Indian food in south Dublin that will keep you coming back
Why not try one of our Crosswords & Puzzles?
Like this?
Get the best content direct to your inbox by signing up to one of our newsletters