direct rule
Mary Kelly: It's time for direct rule, with proper involvement from Dublin
SO WHERE are we now? The resurrection of Stormont by the autumn is looking increasingly unlikely unless Sir Jeffrey can assert authority over the 'never, never' brigade in his party.
Newton Emerson: The weird world of indirect rule
In a rambling performance at an Institute of Directors event last week, Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris defended his refusal to make major policy decisions in the absence of the executive, saying this “would look remarkably like direct rule”, which had not had “great outcomes” previously.
Alex Kane: Why are loyalist paramilitaries still recruiting – and why do they still exist?
On March 24 1972, William Whitelaw was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, after Brian Faulkner’s cabinet had refused to accept that security policy would be transferred from Stormont to Westminster.
Civil servants, fearing fall out from budget, call for introduction of ministerial-control form of "direct rule"
Senior civil servants believe they will be placed in the "invidious" position of making overtly political decisions after budget is announced.
Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris warned against 'using DUP tactics' against public to force restoration of power-sharing
THE SECRETARY of state has been warned "not to use DUP tactics" against the Northern Ireland public in an effort to get power-sharing restored.
Mary Lou McDonald calls on British government to set out steps to Stormont restoration
THE BRITISH government must stop "dithering" over the devolution crisis and map out a route to resolving the protocol impasse and restoring the executive, Mary Lou McDonald has said.
Newton Emerson: What really scares the DUP is reform of mandatory coalition
The past week’s debate about direct rule versus joint authority has been so absurd it must be asked how much of it was sincere.
December election looms as midnight deadline for restoration of power-sharing passes
SECRETARY of State Chris Heaton-Harris is today expected to confirm a date for a snap Stormont election following the failure to restore an executive ahead of last night's deadline. Thursday December 15 has been earmarked as the most likely date. Legislation passed...
Leo Varadkar echoes taoiseach's opposition to direct rule for the north
TÁNAISTE Leo Varadkar has echoed Taoiseach Micheál Martin's assertion that there can be no return to direct rule from Westminster if power-sharing is not restored.
Nationalists warn against Westminster rule in Stormont's absence
NATIONLISTS have warned that they will not countenance direct rule from London if the DUP continues to veto the restoration of the Stromont institutions.