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Q&A: Northern Ireland Executive crisis Q&A: Northern Ireland Executive crisis
(about 1 hour later)
The future of Northern Ireland's devolved power-sharing institutions are in doubt over allegations Provisional IRA members were involved in a murder. Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson has said he is stepping aside, along with all but one of the ministers from his Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Kevin McGuigan was shot dead last month and police said they believe IRA members may be involved. Stormont's political crisis was sparked by allegations Provisional IRA members were involved in the murder of Kevin McGuigan, who was shot dead last month.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) threatened to resign its ministerial posts after a senior Sinn Féin member was arrested as part of the inquiry. A row erupted after a senior Sinn Fein member was arrested as part of the inquiry into Mr McGuigan's death.
MLAs voted against a bid to adjourn the assembly, but the next move is unclear. Mr Robinson's announcement came after the DUP failed to get the Assembly adjourned to allow talks to address the crisis.
Stormont had already faced a crisis over the issue of welfare reform.
For months the power-sharing executive at Stormont has been deadlocked over budgetary matters.For months the power-sharing executive at Stormont has been deadlocked over budgetary matters.
Underlying this disagreement was Sinn Féin's refusal to implement welfare reforms introduced elsewhere in the UK. Underlying this disagreement was Sinn Fein's refusal to implement welfare reforms introduced elsewhere in the UK.
However, the political crisis deepened last month after the police said current IRA members could have been involved in the murder of Belfast man, Kevin McGuigan. Unionists argued that if the IRA remains active, Sinn Féin should be excluded from ministerial office. However, the political crisis deepened last month after the police said current IRA members could have been involved in the murder of Belfast man, Kevin McGuigan.
The DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister, Peter Robinson, said on Wednesday that if the Northern Ireland Assembly is not adjourned or suspended their ministers will quit their ministerial roles. Unionists argued that if the IRA remains active, Sinn Fein should be excluded from ministerial office.
Earlier this week, he also called an end to meetings of the Stormont executive and said there would be no formal meetings between Northern Ireland ministers and their counterparts from the Irish Republic. DUP leader and First Minister Mr Robinson has stepped aside and other DUP ministers are to resign.
Mr Robinson has asked his party colleague Arlene Foster to take over as acting first minister and remain in her current post of finance minister.
He said this was "to ensure that nationalists and republicans are not able to take financial and other decisions that may be detrimental to Northern Ireland".
Earlier this week, he also called an end to meetings of the Stormont Executive and said there would be no formal meetings between Northern Ireland ministers and their counterparts from the Irish Republic.
On Thursday the assembly business committee voted against adjournment.On Thursday the assembly business committee voted against adjournment.
Mr Robinson can ensure the executive does not meet, because it must be convened jointly by him and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. Mr Robinson can ensure the Executive does not meet, because it must be convened jointly by him and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
The DUP initially wanted Sinn Féin excluded from ministerial office, but such a proposal would be defeated in the Stormont Assembly because it would require cross-community backing. The DUP initially wanted Sinn Fein excluded from ministerial office, but such a proposal would be defeated in the Stormont Assembly because it would require cross-community backing.
The second largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionists, turned up the pressure on the DUP by withdrawing their only minister from the power-sharing executive.The second largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionists, turned up the pressure on the DUP by withdrawing their only minister from the power-sharing executive.
The DUP has asked the prime minister to take the power to suspend the Northern Ireland Assembly. However, so far, the government hasn't indicated its willingness to intervene in this way.The DUP has asked the prime minister to take the power to suspend the Northern Ireland Assembly. However, so far, the government hasn't indicated its willingness to intervene in this way.
The power-sharing executive, which brings together all 15 Stormont ministers, normally meets every fortnight.The power-sharing executive, which brings together all 15 Stormont ministers, normally meets every fortnight.
In 2008, Sinn Féin declined to convene a meeting of the executive for five months, because the party was frustrated about delays to the planned transfer of justice powers to the devolved government. The dispute was resolved in cross-party talks. In 2008, Sinn Fein declined to convene a meeting of the executive for five months, because the party was frustrated about delays to the planned transfer of justice powers to the devolved government. The dispute was resolved in cross-party talks.
The executive could not survive the resignation of all its unionist ministers. The Executive cannot survive the resignation of all its unionist ministers.
Under the current legislation, the resignation of the First Minister, Mr Robinson, would trigger an election in Northern Ireland earlier than the scheduled date, which is May 2016. Under the current legislation, the resignation of the first minister would trigger an election in Northern Ireland earlier than the scheduled date, which is May 2016.
Alternatively, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers might pass an emergency law enabling her to suspend the executive.Alternatively, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers might pass an emergency law enabling her to suspend the executive.
However, she will be hoping the latest talks provide a formula which can resolve the problems regarding the Stormont budget, welfare reform and IRA activity in order to stabilise the devolved government.