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Michelle O'Neill said Sinn Féin is 'very much up for a conversation' on changing the rules (file pic)

Further DUP delay would be 'unacceptable', says O'Neill

Northern Ireland's First Minister designate has said it would be unacceptable for the DUP to delay a decision on power-sharing until after the local elections in May.

Ulster • 05 Mar 23

As it happened: Deal delivers 'on all the things'

A look back on today's developments in Northern Ireland as the DUP considers its response to the new Windsor Framework deal.

Brexit • 28 Feb 23

Leo Varadkar addresses the media at Government Buildings in Dublin

Taoiseach welcomes positive outcome in Protocol talks

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the announcement of a positive outcome in negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol between the EU and the UK is most welcome.

Brexit • 28 Feb 23

Micheál Martin said there has been huge engagement on the issue

Martin warns against political games over protocol deal

The Tánaiste has warned against playing politics with the future of Northern Ireland as he expressed hope a deal can be reached on the post-Brexit trading protocol.

Brexit • 20 Feb 23

Daithi MacGabhann and his parents at Stormont this morning

Failure to debate 'Dáithí's Law' as DUP refuses speaker

The DUP has refused to support the nomination of a speaker at a recall of the Stormont assembly meaning legislation to introduce opt out organ donation cannot be implemented.

Ulster • 14 Feb 23

The report said the EU had accepted that goods destined for Northern Ireland would be allowed to enter without routine checks

EU denies deal struck with UK on NI Protocol

EU sources have denied a report that the EU and UK have struck a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol which included "significant" concessions by Brussels on customs checks.

Brexit • 01 Feb 23

Leo Varadkar discussed the restoration of power-sharing in Northern Ireland and ongoing negotiations on the protocol with Mr Sunak (file pic)

Varadkar, Sunak discuss Protocol, Ukraine in phonecall

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have held their first bilateral phone conversation.

Politics • 23 Jan 23

The British government has once again assumed a legal duty to call a snap Assembly election within 12 weeks

NI power-sharing deadline passes without breakthrough

The latest deadline to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland has passed with the devolved institutions in Belfast still in cold storage.

Brexit • 20 Jan 23

Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, so-called border control posts, or points of entry, were supposed to be built at ports and run by officials from the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture

UK publishes legislation on border control posts

The UK has published legislation allowing Whitehall to bring forward the completion of border control posts at Northern Ireland ports, an issue shrouded in controversy due to unionist opposition to such controls, which are a requirement of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

UK • 12 Jan 23

James Cleverly (2nd left) with Chris Heaton-Harris (centre left) meeting with political members of the DUP, Ulster Unionist Party and Alliance in Belfast

Taoiseach hopes SF 'exclusion' will not set precedent

The Taoiseach has said he hopes the decision not to allow the Sinn Féin leader to attend a meeting with the British Foreign Secretary today was a "one off" and will not set a new precedent.

Ulster • 11 Jan 23

Chris Heaton-Harris said an election would take place in the first three months of next year

'Very big black hole in NI finances' - Heaton-Harris

There is a "very big budget black hole" in Northern Ireland's finances, the Northern Ireland Secretary has said.

Ireland • 10 Nov 22

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak are due in Belfast tomorrow

Tory leadership candidates challenged on NI Protocol

The pair battling to become the next leader of the Conservative Party and UK prime minister have been challenged to set out their positions on the Northern Ireland Protocol during a visit to Belfast.

Regional • 16 Aug 22

'UK In A Changing Europe' has published a series of articles looking at the candidates' policies in areas such as the economy, immigration, and health

New British PM facing 'possible trade war' - report

A possible trade war with the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol will be one of the dangers facing the new British prime minister, according to a new report on the Conservative leadership contest.

Brexit • 28 Jul 22

Since 2010 the popularity of Irish whiskey has soared around the world with global sales up 180%

Irish whiskey woes if the NI Protocol goes

Irish whiskey is a unique product. Protected with EU Geographical Indication status, it must be distilled and matured on the island of Ireland.

Ireland • 13 Jun 22

Keir Starmer being driven between engagements in Belfast today

Labour would axe laws overriding protocol if in power

A British Labour government would axe laws designed to unilaterally override aspects of Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol, Keir Starmer has vowed.

Ulster • 10 Jun 22

Simon Coveney (right) meeting Keir Starmer in Dublin today

Coveney urges new EU-UK talks to 'address the rot'

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has called on the UK to enter dialogue to resolve the issues on the Northern Irish Protocol rather than taking the unilateral action of bringing in a new law to override the agreement.

Brexit • 09 Jun 22

Jim Allister, Kate Hoey and Ben Habib pictured arriving at the High Court in Belfast last year

Appeal court dismisses challenge over NI Protocol

The Northern Ireland Protocol was lawfully enacted and must take precedence over a centuries-old legislative clause on trade with Britain, the Court of Appeal ruled today.

Brexit • 14 Mar 22

The official said some progress had been made on reducing the number of customs formalities on goods moving between Britain and NI

NI Protocol talks should move into 'discreet' phase

A senior EU official has said the talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol should move into a "discreet" phase during the upcoming Assembly Elections campaign, but warned that the EU would have to "rethink" the process if the talks were no longer "meaningful".

Brexit • 21 Feb 22

Jeffrey Donaldson said the people he engaged with were deeply concerned about the economic and constitutional impact of the protocol

Rally held in opposition to NI Protocol

A crowd gathered in an Orange Hall in Co Down this evening for a rally in opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Regional • 10 Feb 22

Several vehicles entered the Belfast Port facility after the ferry arrived from Cairnryan in Scotland at 6am

DUP protocol intervention 'very unhelpful' - Šefčovič

The EU's Chief Brexit negotiator has described the decision by the DUP Agriculture Minister to suspend Protocol agri-food checks as "very unhelpful".

Brexit • 03 Feb 22

Protocol: Frost speech to put relations on a knife-edge

Next week, the UK government will announce its latest approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol. It will be the latest flashpoint following six months of strife and will signpost what kind of clash we might expect in the autumn.

Analysis and Comment • 17 Jul 21

Brandon Lewis raised concerns of Jewish community at Policy Exchange

NI Jewish community faces challenges over protocol

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has said the Northern Ireland Protocol could lead to Jews leaving the North because they would be unable to access Kosher meats from GB once the grace period on chilled meats ends.

Brexit • 08 Jul 21

Mairead McGuinness, European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets

EU wants NI Protocol implemented in full - McGuinness

The European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets, has said the EU wants to see the Northern Ireland Protocol implemented in full.

Business • 21 Jun 21

London has suggested that any extensions to the two grace periods would provide the time necessary to upgrade those systems

EU would consider bilateral veterinary agreement

The European Union would be prepared to look at a bilateral veterinary agreement with the UK as a way around many of the food safety and animal health trade barriers associated with the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Brexit • 25 Feb 21

DUP leader Arlene Foster said there was "significant" anger over checks on goods from Great Britain

DUP to urge MPs to support scrapping NI Protocol

The DUP will make a case for scrapping the Northern Ireland Protocol in the House of Commons next week.

Brexit • 17 Feb 21