Deal to restore Stormont to be fast-tracked through UK parliament

Sophie Wingate, PA Political Correspondent

The UK government aims to fast-track two pieces of legislation through the UK parliament on Thursday to deliver on the commitments made in its package aimed at restoring powersharing at Stormont.

It comes a day after the publication of measures that would end routine post-Brexit checks on goods shipped from Britain to final destinations in the North.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson hailed the move as a key concession that will effectively scrap the so-called Irish Sea border for goods destined to remain within the UK, paving the way for an end to his party’s boycott of powersharing.

Others made speeches. @duponline delivered. pic.twitter.com/DSgp1kVzGH

— Jeffrey Donaldson MP (@J_Donaldson_MP) January 31, 2024

UK Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris vowed to swiftly bring forward two statutory instruments in the UK's House of Commons.

Thursday’s motions will be on the draft Windsor Framework (Constitutional Status of Northern Ireland) Regulations 2024 and the draft Windsor Framework (Internal Market and Unfettered Access) Regulations 2024.

One will provide legislative assurances on Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the UK, with the other delivering the changes to the trading system by amending the Internal Markets Act.

Their passage would clear the way for the DUP to give the green light for a Stormont return.

Mr Heaton-Harris said: “The government is committed to delivering this deal swiftly so we can build a brighter future for Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.”

MLAs have been put on notice on the prospect of a hastily recalled sitting.

The expectation is Stormont could be back up and running as soon as Saturday, and see the appointment of its first nationalist first minister, Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill.