Ian Paisley announces that he will stand down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and First Minister of Northern Ireland

After months of controversy over his financial affairs, Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern announces that he will resign on May 6

Peter Robinson, elected unopposed as leader of the DUP, succeeds Ian Paisley as First Minister of Northern Ireland

In a referendum in Ireland voters reject the Treaty of Lisbon, which has the effect of halting ratification throughout the European Union

The European Union agrees a rescue package of €85 billion to deal with the financial crisis in the republic of Ireland

Elizabeth II makes the first visit by a British monarch to the Republic of Ireland since the country's establishment, after much violence, in 1922

In a historic visit to Northern Ireland the British Queen makes a profound gesture of reconciliation, shaking hands with former IRA commander Martin McGuinness