The restored Assembly and Executive can help Northern Ireland begin to address its many social and economic challenges. 

However, according to a new report from think tank Pivotal, simply re–establishing government is not enough. The Executive needs big changes in how it operates – with more cross–party political cooperation and unity, longer–term budgets that are tied to policy goals, and a willingness to make tough choices. Underpinning all this is the need for a sustained period of stable government.

The return of an Executive and Assembly gives Northern Ireland a chance to deal with its many issues, but unless Stormont works differently from how it has in the past, this chance may be lost.