What issue significantly contributed to the fall of the Assembly in 2017?

The failure to agree on the Irish Language Act was a pivotal issue that led to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2017. This act was highly contentious and became a focal point of political conflict, particularly between the main parties, Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Sinn Féin advocated for the establishment of the act as a means to enhance the rights and recognition of the Irish language in Northern Ireland, considering it an important cultural issue.

On the other hand, the DUP opposed the act, viewing it as unnecessary and potentially divisive. The inability to find common ground on this legislation highlighted deeper tensions regarding identity, culture, and governance in Northern Ireland.

As discussions around the Irish Language Act progressed, they became intertwined with other political grievances, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of Sinn Féin from the Assembly and the subsequent suspension of the government. This situation exemplified how critical language and identity issues are in Northern Irish politics, reflecting historical divisions that persist to this day. The lack of resolution on this matter was significant enough to trigger the dissolution of the Assembly, emphasizing its centrality in the political landscape of Northern Ireland during that period.