Pat Rabbitte: Sinn Féin’s aggressive Dáil stance is not apparent in static Stormont

Paralysis afflicts the Northern executive, even during the existential crisis that is Covid-19. People must be asking themselves if their system of governance is fit for purpose or if the mindset of the politicians is to blame

Robin Swann, the Health Minister and former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, backed public health advice to extend restrictions but the DUP was riven over the issue

Brandishing its all-Ireland status as a political organisation is Sinn Féin’s proudest boast. The rest are ‘Partition’ or ‘Free State’ parties – well, not the Greens – lacking in the moral authority conferred by history on Sinn Féin.

In an attempt to keep up and stop Sinn Féin eating its lunch, Fianna Fáil made a couple of forays into the North without spectacular success. However, garlanding oneself in all-Ireland colours brings its own problems. When ...