DUP agrees devolution deal

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has announced that his party would endorse a deal to allow the devolved government in Northern Ireland to start again.
Following a meeting of the party’s executive, Mr Donaldson said the DUP had endorsed a deal to go back into power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, subject to the government implementing agreed legislation.
He added that any agreement was conditional on Westminster passing laws to address Unionist concerns about post-Brexit trading rules.
The DUP has been boycotting the Stormont assembly for two years – preventing power-sharing with Sinn Féin.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris welcomed the deal, saying the government will hold up its end of the agreement.
Sinn Féin, the DUP, Alliance and UUP are expected to meet later today to discuss next steps.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald says she feels “optimistic” about getting Northern Ireland’s institutions back up and running again.
“It is vital there is political stability to address the scale of the crisis across our public services,” she said.
“Let’s now focus minds on the job at hand and to the solutions required to support workers and families who want and deserve functioning government.”