But because of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) boycott of the institutions there hasn't been a proper sitting of the assembly since 24 March 2022.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66610084?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Commenting on the announcement, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party MSP for Highlands and Islands Halcro Johnston said: “I welcome the £280,000 investment in Kyle of Lochalsh for a community grocery shop and café.

Source: https://www.obantimes.co.uk/2023/03/24/msp-welcomes-investment-in-community-project-in-kyle/

Donaldson’s absence broadcasts its own political message but given that he walked from the Ulster Unionist Party in 1998 in protest against the Good Friday Agreement, his reluctance to celebrate its anniversary is perhaps unsurprising.

Source: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dup-powersharing-stormont-reform-good-friday-agreement-25-anniversary-hillary-clinton-tony-blair/

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: “Over 18 months ago the Democratic Unionist Party outlined seven tests which at the time I indicated would be the basis upon which we would judge any agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23349944.rishi-sunak-hails-decisive-breakthrough-northern-ireland-protocol/?ref=rss

Earlier on Thursday, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Doug Beattie said it is "absolutely embarrassing" that the major trade delegation is visiting Northern Ireland during Stormont's suspension.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67174618?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Even so, the power-sharing government, led by David Trimble of the Ulster Unionist Party and Seamus Mallon of Hume’s SDLP, did not survive long.

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/belfast-joe-biden-good-friday-agreement-b2316483.html

He takes office as Prime Minister the next day, inheriting a minority government that relies on votes from Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party to pass legislation.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/boris-johnsons-career-spanned-dizzying-heights-and-tumultuous-lows/article66956814.ece

In February 2022, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, left the regional government.

Source: https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/04/04/brexit-northern-ireland-trade-deal-rishi-sunak-windsor-framework/

Mr Sunak has promised that the House of Commons will be able to “express its view” over any deal, which he hopes will get the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to restore powersharing in Northern Ireland.

Source: https://www.barrheadnews.com/news/national/23346459.european-commission-presidents-trip-uk-cancelled-protocol-talks-go/?ref=rss

Northern Ireland has been without devolved government since February 2022, when the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) withdrew support as part of its boycott of post-Brexit rules overseeing trade in and out of Northern Ireland.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67712767?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Sammy Wilson, the chief whip of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which the Prime Minister wants to secure the support of, said the expected meeting risked “dragging the King into a hugely controversial political issue”.

Source: https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/national/23349219.king-host-ursula-von-der-leyen-controversial-meeting-brexit-deal/?ref=rss

Stormont's second-largest party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), walked out of power-sharing in February 2022 in protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66789881?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Sunak faces a major challenge in convincing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to support a deal with the EU.

Source: https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/penny-mordaunt-insists-boris-johnson-brexit-intervention-is-helpful

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he trusts UK prime minister Rishi Sunak to keep Ireland informed in any negotiation to encourage the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to return to powersharing.

Source: https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/varadkar-ireland-wont-be-caught-off-guard-in-any-dup-deal-1483958.html

The agreement is currently being scrutinized by Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, which is boycotting power-sharing in the region over objections to the existing setup.

Source: https://www.politico.eu/article/mp-disappointed-rishi-sunak-decline-windsor-framework-eu-deal-brexit/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) retained its three seats, while the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) won six seats (down four), and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) won five seats (up three).

Source: https://www.thejournal.ie/gerry-adams-sinn-fein-head-bangers-6243321-Dec2023/

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) retained its three seats, while the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) won six seats (down four), and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) won five seats (up three).

Source: https://www.thejournal.ie/gerry-adams-sinn-fein-head-bangers-6243321-Dec2023/

The success of the deal is likely to hinge on whether it convinces the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to end its boycott of Northern Ireland’s power-sharing arrangements.

Source: https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/02/28/sunak-in-belfast-to-start-selling-his-new-brexit-deal/

The Ulster Unionist Party is also facing a battle to hold its ground but its leader Doug Beattie said Unionism was likely to take a hit across the board.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-65637272?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

The Ulster Unionist Party is running 101 candidates.

Source: https://www.ayradvertiser.com/news/national/23530142.political-leaders-cast-ballots-local-government-elections/?ref=rss