While history was made yesterday as the Northern Ireland Assembly returned to Stormont, it might not be “the dawn of a new era”. 

The Northern Irish Government returned to power-sharing yesterday after the Democratic Unionist Party agreed to ends it boycott follow negotiations over post-Brexit issues. 

The return of the Assembly saw Sinn Féin vice-President become Northern Ireland’s first nationalist First Minister, a role that was previously held by 11 unionist leaders. 

Speaking on The Anton Savage Show, Northern Irish journalist Amanda Ferguson said this is “undoubtedly a historic moment” for the State. 

“Northern Ireland was created to try and ensure a Unionist majority in perpetuity,” she said. 

“The fact an Irish republican who's wedded to the idea of Irish unity is the figurehead in that jurisdiction in Northern Ireland is significant.” 

Little-Pengelly a 'co-opted MLA'

Ms Ferguson also noted this is the first time a unionist is the Deputy First Minister of Nothern Ireland, with MLA Emma Little-Pengelly elected to the position. 

“An interesting bit of information is that Emma Little-Pengelly is a ‘co-opted MLA’,” Ms Ferguson said. 

“She didn’t actually stand for election and didn’t receive any votes, but because of the rules in place, the party is allowed to nominate her if they want to that role. 

“She's been elevated to the very top office in Northern Ireland without having received votes from the public to do so.” 

Ms Ferguson also pointed out this is the first time the two First Ministers and the two Junior ministers are all women, with Aisling Reilly from Sinn Féin and Pam Cameron from the DUP elected. 

A new dawn?

Despite these historic changes, Ms Ferguson said beyond the “optics”, Northern Ireland maintains “a certain level of dysfunction”. 

“I think it’s up to 50% [of institutions] that have been collapsed over the course of power-sharing,” she said. 

“Power-sharing in Government isn't easy when you have political parties that are diametrically opposed on a whole range of issues. 

“I don't think that this is the dawn of a new era, but certainly Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly both delivered very positive opening speeches about recognising differences.” 

Ministers of Northern Ireland

Yesterday also saw the other ministers of Northern Ireland elected. Politicians from Sinn Féin, the DUP, the Ulster Unionist Party and Alliance took up positions. 

Ms Ferguson said this also caused some shake-ups from what was expected of the Northern Irish Government. 

“It had been expected that the DUP would nominate Gordon Lyons for the Finance portfolio,” she said. 

“But whenever the DUP stood to pick, their first pick was the Education Department, which had been expected perhaps to go to Caoimhe Archibald from Sinn Féin. 

“She now finds herself in the Finance Department.” 

Other ministerial roles filled include Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy for Economy and Alliance Leader Naomi Long as Minister for Justice. 

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