DUP Party Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has confirmed on Thursday afternoon (1st February), he has written to Assemby Speaker Alex Maskey, asking for the recall of Northern Ireland Assembly this weekend.
In the letter Sir Jeffrey wrote:
"You will be aware of the recent announcement on political agreement between the United Kingdom Government and the Democratic Unionist Party and the subsequent steps taken by the UK Government to introduce new legislative measures, today passed by the House of Commons.
"I am writing to inform you of my view that there now exists a basis upon which you can confidently arrange for the Northern Ireland Assembly to meet at which the offices of Speaker, Deputy Speakers, First and Deputy First Ministers, and Ministers would be filled.
"I would ask you to make the necessary arrangements for a sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly on Saturday 3rd February 2024, thereby giving sufficient time for you to consult and to give notice to Members.
"On behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party, I thank you for your service as Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly and wish you well in your retirement."
The recall of the Assembly is expected to see the return of Northern Ireland's power-sharing Executive at Stormont on the two year anniversary of the day it collapsed when the DUP walked out in protest over UK Government Brexit proposals.
Letter from DUP Party Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP requesting the recall of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Current Speaker of the Assembly, Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey, has responded to the request (below), informing all Members that the Assembly will meet on Saturday 3rd February 2024, at 1:00pm.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris MP has welcomed the request made by Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to work with the other Northern Ireland Parties to recall the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The move followed the Government’s introduction of legislation to affirm Northern Ireland’s place in the Union and to guarantee unfettered access for Northern Ireland goods to the whole of the United Kingdom internal market.
Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris said:
“I am delighted that the Democratic Unionist Party have taken this next step to work with the other Northern Ireland Parties to recall the Assembly.
“The Government made commitments to introduce legislation in our Command Paper and we have now followed through on those commitments.
“I look forward to working with the new First Minister, deputy First Minister, and all the Ministers in a returned Northern Ireland Executive, alongside Northern Ireland Assembly members, to improve the lives of people living here.”