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Q&A: Northern Ireland Executive crisis Q&A: Northern Ireland Executive crisis
(about 1 hour later)
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).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).
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.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.
A row erupted after a senior Sinn Fein member was arrested as part of the inquiry into Mr McGuigan's death.A row erupted after a senior Sinn Fein member was arrested as part of the inquiry into Mr McGuigan's death.
Mr Robinson's announcement came after the DUP failed to get the Assembly adjourned to allow talks to address the crisis.Mr Robinson's announcement came after the DUP failed to get the Assembly adjourned to allow talks to address the crisis.
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 Fein'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.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.Unionists argued that if the IRA remains active, Sinn Féin should be excluded from ministerial office.
DUP leader and First Minister Mr Robinson has stepped aside and other DUP ministers have written resignation letters and left their Stormont departments. DUP leader and First Minister Mr Robinson has stepped aside and three other DUP ministers have written resignation letters and left their Stormont departments.
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.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".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.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's business committee voted against adjournment.On Thursday the assembly's 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 Féin 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 support.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 support.
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 Prime Minister David Cameron to suspend the Northern Ireland Assembly, but following the DUP resignations, Mr Cameron's spokesperson said "the UK government did not believe it would be right to introduce emergency legislation now to suspend the assembly".The DUP has asked Prime Minister David Cameron to suspend the Northern Ireland Assembly, but following the DUP resignations, Mr Cameron's spokesperson said "the UK government did not believe it would be right to introduce emergency legislation now to suspend the assembly".
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 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.
The Executive cannot survive the resignation of all its unionist ministers - but that has not happened.The Executive cannot survive the resignation of all its unionist ministers - but that has not happened.
Finance Minister Arlene Foster is now acting first minister, after Peter Robinson stepped aside.Finance Minister Arlene Foster is now acting first minister, after Peter Robinson stepped aside.
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.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.
Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has declined the DUP's request to pass an emergency law enabling her to suspend the executive, and the prime minister has said there must be "intensive cross-party talks" to resolve Stormont's problems.Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has declined the DUP's request to pass an emergency law enabling her to suspend the executive, and the prime minister has said there must be "intensive cross-party talks" to resolve Stormont's problems.