Developments in Northern Ireland, 2022-24

This research briefing charts constitutional developments in Northern Ireland since the collapse of its devolved institutions in February 2022. It includes:

• 3 February 2022: Collapse of the devolved institutions
• 5 May 2022: Northern Ireland Assembly election
• 13 May 2022: First of seven unsuccessful attempts by the Assembly to elect a Speaker
• 28 October 2022: Statutory deadline for Executive formation expires
• 6 December 2022: The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022 receives Royal Assent. Together with The Northern Ireland (Extension of Period for Making Ministerial Appointments) Regulations 2022, the period for appointing Northern Ireland ministers is extended until 19 January 2023
• 19 January 2023: Another statutory deadline for Executive formation expires
• 27 February 2023: The Windsor Framework is agreed between the European Union and UK, including the “Stormont Brake” mechanism
• 28 February 2023: The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Organ and Tissue Donation) Act 2023 receives Royal Assent, extending the deadline to 18 January 2024
• 10 April 2023: Politicians in the UK and Ireland mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
• 18 September 2023: The Northern Ireland Budget (No. 2) Act 2023 receives Royal Assent and thus sets a Budget for Northern Ireland
• 4 December 2023: The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee publishes recommendations on the effectiveness of the institutions established under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
• 20 December 2023: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland publishes details of a financial package worth more than £3 billion
• 18 January 2024: Statutory deadline for Executive formation
• 25 January 2024: The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act 2024 extends the deadline to 8 February 2024
• 30 January 2024: The DUP endorses a deal to restore power-sharing