Sinn Fein accept draft Stormont deal to restore devolution
Video report by ITV News Correspondent Neil Connery
Sinn Fein has agreed to back a deal to restore powersharing at Stormont - a move that confirms the return of devolved government in Northern Ireland after a three-year absence.
Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald said a draft agreement tabled by the UK and Irish governments provided a basis to resurrect parliamentary institutions that have been down for three years.
The announcement came after a day of internal deliberations by the republican party and followed a similar announcement by DUP leader Arlene Foster on Thursday night - minutes after the text of governments' proposals were published.
The republican party's endorsement means the two parties will re-enter a mandatory coalition in Belfast.
The Assembly will resume business at 1pm on Saturday when a DUP First Minister and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister will be elected along with a team of ministerial colleagues.
The SDLP has announced it will enter the powersharing administration at Stormont, but TUV leader Jim Allister expressed his opposition to the draft deal, claiming the deal sees "unionism giving" and "Sinn Fein taking".
Peace process structures mean a ministerial executive can only function with the inclusion of the largest unionist party and largest nationalist party in the region.
Making the announcement on Friday night, Ms McDonald said the challenges of this time are "absolutely immense", adding: "Are we able for that? Absolutely. Is Sinn Fein up for that? Absolutely.
"And I hope that every other political party and political leader similarly is in the space that we are in today."
Neil Connery explains why the deal has been struck now
The wide-ranging deal, which was published by the governments on Thursday night, contains compromise solutions to the vexed disputes at the heart of the 36-month powersharing impasse, such as legislative provisions for Irish language speakers.
It also includes what the UK government has insisted will be a major Treasury-funded financial package to tackle a host of acute problems facing a public sector that has been floundering amid the governance vacuum.
That includes a high-profile industrial dispute in the health service which on Friday saw nurses again walk out on strike.
Ms McDonald said the first action the incoming executive must be to deliver was to ensure pay "parity to health workers."
Under the terms of the deal, the new executive will also take action to reduce spiralling hospital waiting lists; extend mitigation payments for benefit claimants hit by welfare reforms; increase the number of police officers on the beat; and resolve an industrial dispute involving teachers.
The last DUP/Sinn Fein-led coalition government collapsed in January 2017 over a row about a botched green energy scheme.
That row subsequently widened to take in more traditional wrangles on matters such as the Irish language and the thorny legacy of the Troubles.
Speaking on Friday night at Stormont, the Sinn Fein president said: "We now have the basis to restore power sharing, and we're up for that.
"There's no doubt there are serious challenges ahead; the impact of Brexit, austerity and other pressing issues.
"But the biggest and most significant challenge will be ensuring we have genuine power sharing build on equality, respect and integrity."
She added Sinn Fein was "committed" to Irish reunification efforts and to make sure all people across the north and south divide enjoy the same rights.
Speaking about the Irish language aspects of the deal, Ms McDonald said: "Nobody should see this as a threat. This isn't about one-upmanship. This isn't about winners or losers. This is about a society that makes room for everyone."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "I congratulate those in Northern Ireland who have worked to reach agreement to allow a return to power sharing at Stormont. The Good Friday Agreement and peace process in Northern Ireland is a proud Labour legacy we are committed to support and protect."
Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith, who helped broker the deal alongside Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, welcomed confirmation that devolution would return.
He tweeted: "A devolved government can now start delivering the reforms needed in our public services. After three years, it's time to get back to work - for the people of Northern Ireland. #StormontDeal."