Newton Emerson

Catholic bishop says anyone who needs information on abortion should Google it. The DUP is taking a harder line. It all points to one thing: a row is brewing

Sinn Féin is struggling to fit current events into the Irish republican world view, where unionists might be bad but Britain is always worse, and a British Tory government is worst of all

A Sinn Féin government in Dublin might settle for an enhanced consultative role while cranking up the optics

Why would pragmatic middle-ground voters want to change a successful Northern Ireland? Ironically, the party that is currently undermining that prospect most is the DUP

A brief pause on border poll demands is a deliberate and intelligent strategy

Some opinion polls put the DUP and Sinn Féin tantalisingly close in Northern Ireland local elections

Northern unionists pay more attention to the Republic than people in the rest of the UK. They tend to be sensitive to signs of anti-British feeling, and doubly offended if assured such feelings do not apply to them

Somehow the UUP can’t seem to capitalise on the DUP’s multi-year Brexit fiasco and epic leadership contest meltdown

What could Mary Lou McDonald reply if Britain was to say ‘take out your cheque book, you can afford it?’

Where would the workforce come from? Unemployment in Northern Ireland is 2.4 per cent, matching the record low set just before the pandemic

How plausible is it that Chris Heaton-Harris will risk financial meltdown to force the DUP back to work?

UK rate will will jump from 19% to 25% next week, its highest since 2011

Newton Emerson: Where all the exceptions and flexibilities needed to make plan work will ultimately lead is an open question

The party has its sights on the Department for the Economy, a DUP fiefdom. The potential is big, as are the pitfalls

Introduction of a Stormont Brake opens a door to pursue wider reform of community designation

Separate guides to the new agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol published by the UK and the EU seem to agree on very little

The DUP needs breathing space - but its problem is that a parallel game is playing out in the Conservative Party

DUP did not give into pressure to restore Stormont and pass law. Northern Ireland secretary should instead threaten to involve other parties in direct rule

Political squeamishness over need to rationalise hospitals on either side of the Border

Aligning with moderate unionism could have helped offset Stormont’s dysfunction and kept out Alliance

A deal that can be sold to unionist voters was always Jeffrey Donaldson’s plan - and the DUP’s only way out of its Brexit hole

While the super-rich should pay more, meaningful redistribution requires targeting the surprising numerous western millionaires

Property tax shows that one-size-fits-all approach does not always suit

Newton Emerson: Only better design and engineering can reverse road deaths

It is undeniable the protocol is a response to threats of violence by republicans, with the appearance of being a reward

Reaction across unionism is curiosity at what such a high-profile envoy might achieve for Northern Ireland, economically and politically

It is time to look at subsidising homes for teachers, nurses, doctors

Order to Stormont’s Department of Health most assertive override of devolution since St Andrews Agreement

Civil service mechanism that governed North for 33 of last 50 years is back. With all its flaws

Taoiseach-in-waiting did not mention Irish unity, Brexit or the protocol

Doubts are growing over whether Jeffrey Donaldson will support a EU-UK deal that is likely to fall far short of unionist expectations

Alliance’s proposal for opt-out coalition, where largest parties guaranteed place, gets around obstacles

It is painfully apparent he was left in post for party management reasons as former chair of ERG of Brexiteers

The rise of the unaligned centre in Northern Ireland politics has made reform of Belfast Agreement structures imperative

Inside Politics: Idea of sorting out auto-enrolment option has been mooted for decades

Inside Politics: European leaders meet as horrors of Ukrainian war continue unabated

Inside Politics: Nphet to discuss protective measures in primary and secondary schools

Inside Politics: Plans finalised today on alleviating impact of inflation and energy costs

Inside Politics: Issue is one of great political potency, pitting finance against politics

Inside Politics: Scheme likely to disappoint those who qualify, enraging those who don’t