Political deadlock in Northern Ireland is growing increasingly intricate. The Northern Ireland Protocol remains a pivotal challenge concerning the UK’s relationship with the EU and the Republic of Ireland. The repercussions of implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol triggered the breakdown of devolved authorities in Belfast last year. The absence of a functioning government has resulted in a lack of funds allocated to enhance Northern Ireland. This article deals with the causes behind the political deadlock in Northern Ireland while also exploring the adverse outcomes arising from the absence of resurgence and establishment of political governance in the region.
The purpose of establishing the Northern Ireland Protocol
The UK and EU reached an agreement known as the Northern Ireland Protocol to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland post-Brexit. This agreement altered the procedures for checks and customs declarations on commercial crossings over the Irish Sea but faced strong opposition from unionists. This opposition resulted in the collapse of Northern Ireland’s executive government, with the DUP withdrawing in protest at Stormont. Subsequently, this standoff led to a political deadlock in Northern Ireland.
The possibility of dialogue and compromise on the Northern Ireland Protocol
Despite the high tensions, the speech of Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar was welcomed by Downing Street. The UK government has welcomed the Irish Prime Minister’s pledge to be flexible and reasonable in amending the Northern Ireland Protocol. Ireland’s second-term leader, Leo Varadkar, has admitted that the Brexit deal governing Northern Ireland is “too strict” and has opened the door to a compromise. Welcoming the change of tone from Dublin, Dunning Street said it had “always felt it was possible to enact the protocol in a way that was flexible”.
Trying to find a political solution to the Northern Ireland Protocol
Former Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith emphasised the need for a radical political and practical approach to resolving the deadlock. The Democratic Unionist Party’s withdrawal from the deal in February stemmed from dissatisfaction with the Northern Ireland Protocol. Smith conveyed via Twitter: “Positive remarks from Leo Varadkar on NI protocol; substantial efforts are required to devise an innovative political and practical resolution for trade and broader concerns within the existing arrangements.” The Prime Minister’s spokesperson highlighted ongoing talks at an “official level” aimed at addressing the issues surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol, even preceding Varadkar’s statements.
Avoiding hard borders on the island of Ireland
Leo Varadkar expressed that the EU was open to demonstrating flexibility and making concessions to ease tensions regarding the protocol. He further desired an agreement, emphasising, “We do want an agreement.” The Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland acknowledged that the protocol had contributed to a sense of reduced British identity among unionists. He highlighted concerns that its haphazard implementation could “introduce barriers between Britain and Northern Ireland that were previously non-existent.”
DUP’s non-participation in the Northern Ireland Executive
The DUP has created a political deadlock in Northern Ireland by leaving the executive. Northern Ireland has not had a functioning government since February 2022 after the DUP refused to participate in the executive in protest over the Northern Ireland Protocol in the Brexit deal. In regional elections in May, the Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein won a majority for the first time in Northern Ireland’s history. However, the DUP boycotts Parliament as it rejects a post-Brexit customs regime for Northern Ireland. Unionists fear this will make the region increasingly isolated from the rest of the UK.
DUP’s objection to the establishment of a customs border in the post-Brexit
Over a year ago, the Democratic Unionist Party, advocating for Northern Ireland’s stay within the UK, exited the semi-autonomous Belfast government in objection to creating a customs border post-Brexit, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. This withdrawal led to the suspension of the government. According to the power-sharing regulations outlined in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, both the primary pro-British and pro-Irish nationalist parties are mandated to coexist in government.
Northern Ireland remaining in the European Single Market
Through the Northern Ireland Protocol, Northern Ireland will remain part of the European Single Market even after Brexit. Still, goods will be controlled between the UK and Northern Ireland. The UK government originally passed the regulation to prevent control between the EU country of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as it could jeopardise the peace process in the formerly troubled region. However, since then, the UK government has pressured Brussels to withdraw the protocol and passed laws to circumvent it.
Conflicting views on the Northern Ireland Protocol
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson conveyed his efforts in persuading Heaton-Harris about the necessity to “remove the obstacles posed by the protocol.” He expressed the belief that an election would minimally impact the existing deadlock. Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill used Twitter to urge the DUP to cease obstructing the establishment of an executive and collaborate with others. Sunak remains optimistic about a negotiated resolution, trusting that all parties will approach the current challenges practically and sincerely.
The impracticality of implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol
The UK government had negotiated the Northern Ireland Protocol as part of leaving the EU but has now declared the deal unworkable. This protocol provides special customs rules for Northern Ireland, which belongs to the UK, to facilitate the flow of goods to Ireland and vice versa. The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which was sensitive for historical reasons, was also kept open to prevent a re-ignition of the Northern Ireland conflict. However, the agreement has created a de facto customs border in the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. The EU Commission has threatened to refer the UK to the European Court of Justice if it repeals the regulation.
Failure to allocate funds to Northern Ireland from the £1 billion plan
Northern Ireland has not been allocated any money from a £1bn funding scheme because of Stormont’s collapse. The UK government has announced that because of the failure to revive Stormont in Northern Ireland, no money from the £1 billion funding scheme has been allocated to Northern Ireland. It said no money was allocated to Northern Ireland “at this time” due to the lack of an executive and assembly. The DUP has described the action of the UK government as “economic blackmail”.
Northern Ireland is embroiled in a political power vacuum crisis
Since departing from the EU and its single market, the UK has encountered significant challenges transporting goods to Northern Ireland. Although part of the UK, Northern Ireland adheres to EU trade regulations, causing strain on public services. Austerity has affected people, creating an intolerable situation. The political landscape in Northern Ireland has grappled with prolonged contention over customs checkpoints instated after the UK departed from the European trade bloc in 2020. The absence of an executive government in Northern Ireland is poised to generate numerous issues for its populace.
