We are entering an interesting phase in the process of co-opertion between the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain. Co-operation within Northern Ireland’s political parties is also moving forward to a somewhere it has never been before. It is possible that in less than two weeks both the Democratic Unionist party and Sinn Fein will stand together and run the Stormont Assembly.

For anyone not aware of what this is about let me explain. The Stormont assembly was a governmental body which was setup as part of negotiations between Britain and Ireland during the twentieth century. The Stormont assembly would allow Northern Ireland to run itself as opposed to the direct rule which was being implemented from London. This institution was closed and opened many times due to numerous situations.

In the last two years the situation has become politically exciting. During the second last election for the Stormont assembly both Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party gained enough votes to make a majority. The problem was that these two parties stood for two different ideals. At the core Sinn Fein want a full Republic while the D.U.P. want to remain a part of Britain.

I believe that both parties will agree to power sharing in two weeks and will finally give the people of Northern Ireland a voice. There may be problems ahead but both parties have made huge sacrifices to get to this point. It indeed makes me feel proud to be Irish when I see this progression.

If a part of Irishness has been about our trouble and strifes within the North and between the republic and Britain then it is quickly becoming a part of our culture which is thinning out. It is not totally gone but we are slowly getting there.