Martin McGuinness resigns as deputy first minister of Northern Ireland / NI election date set

Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness resigned as deputy first minister in the Northern Ireland coalition power-sharing government on the 9 January 2017 in protest against the handling of an energy scheme that could cost taxpayers £490m.

The decision was likely to lead to an election in Northern Ireland. The decision by Mr McGuinness also meant that the First Minister, Arlene Foster, also ceased to hold office.

On the 16 January 2017 the Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire set an election date of 2 March 2017.

The situation raised fears of stability in the province and might also have an impact on Brexit negotiations.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 09.01.17: Martin McGuinness resigns as NI deputy first minister http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38561507

UK: GOV.UK: Northern Ireland Office: Press Release, 09.01.17: Secretary of State on the deputy First Minister's resignation https://www.gov.uk/government/news/secretary-of-state-on-the-deputy-first-ministers-resignation

EurActiv, 10.01.17: Northern Ireland faces elections, raising fresh uncertainty over Brexit talks http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/northern-ireland-faces-elections-raising-fresh-uncertainty-over-brexit-talks/

Politico, 09.01.17: Martin McGuinness resigns as Northern Ireland deputy first minister http://www.politico.eu/article/martin-mcguinness-resigns-as-northern-ireland-deputy-first-minister/

Euro|Topics: Debates, January 2017: Government crisis in Northern Ireland http://www.eurotopics.net/en/172399/government-crisis-in-northern-ireland

CAPX, 10.01.17: How Northern Ireland’s politics went up in smoke https://capx.co/how-northern-irelands-politics-went-up-in-smoke/

BBC News, 16.01.17: Stormont crisis: Deadline looms for future of executive http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38630403

UK: GOV.UK: Northern Ireland Office: Speech, 10.01.17: Secretary of State's Oral Statement on political situation in Northern Ireland https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/secretary-of-state-statement-on-political-situation-in-northern-ireland

UK: GOV.UK: Northern Ireland Office: Press Release, 16.01.17: NI election date set https://www.gov.uk/government/news/secretary-of-state-sets-date-for-election

Deutsche Welle, 16.01.17: Northern Ireland to hold snap elections in March after government collapse http://dw.com/p/2VstB

The Guardian, 16.01.17: Northern Ireland assembly elections announced https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/16/northern-ireland-assembly-elections-announced

Politico, 16.01.17: Northern Ireland set for March election after government collapses http://www.politico.eu/article/northern-ireland-set-for-march-election-after-government-collapses-james-brokenshire/

UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office: Press Release, 11.01.17: PM call with Taoiseach Enda Kenny: 10 January 2017 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-call-with-taoiseach-enda-kenny-10-january-2017

Blog: UCL Constitution Unit, 16.01.17: Northern Ireland: where now? https://constitution-unit.com/2017/01/16/northern-ireland-where-now/

---