A difficult deal

Almost two years after the DUP walked out of Stormont over Northern Ireland’s post-brexit trading arrangements, a deal to restore the power-sharing executive now appears to have been reached.

Invariably in the province there’s many a slip ’twixt cup and lip so nothing is certain. But Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP leader, said there was a basis for Stormont’s return, subject to a timetable agreement and the necessary laws being passed.

Chris Heaton-harris, the Northern Ireland Secretary, will publish details today setting out arrangements to “secure Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market”. Legislation could be rushed through Parliament on Thursday, leading to a potential Assembly recall on Friday or Saturday.

The deal involves removing customs checks on goods transferred within the UK and destined to remain in Northern Ireland, with guaranteed access for business to the rest of the country’s internal market. It will unlock a £3.3billion financial package, but is likely to involve an extraordinary amount of red tape.

Sir Jeffrey is taking a risk by pressing ahead with this deal in the teeth of strong opposition within the DUP and from so-called traditional Unionists. The strains were apparent at a five-hour meeting of the DUP, whose proceedings were bugged by their critics and released on the internet almost immediately.

The revival of Stormont, should it happen, will be noteworthy for the emergence of Sinn Fein as the strongest party and its nomination of Michelle O’neill as First Minister. This will be a moment of great significance in the province’s chequered history.