The Executive remains without an agreed Budget as talks continued this week. While the parties maintain that NI is underfunded, they have until January to come to a settlement, otherwise NI Secretary Chris Bryant MP has threatened to withdraw an offer of £1.5bn over the next three years. Although the DUP and Alliance signalled that talks were making progress, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said a balanced Budget is “impossible” on current funding. Sinn Féin are also taking a hard line at the Assembly, with O’Neill walking out of a fractious meeting of The Executive Office Committee. The party also set the tone for next year’s Assembly election campaign, selecting three high-profile MPs as Stormont candidates.
Finn McGrath, Senior Account Executive
What you need to know
Executive parties give different assessments of budget talks
The Executive still has no 2026/27 Budget, and there was pressure from several directions this week. First Minister Michelle O’Neill urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to “pay attention” to the “dire straits” of the budget crisis, according to the Belfast Telegraph. She rejected NI Secretary Sir Chris Bryant’s description of the Executive as financially “irresponsible”, and said a balanced Budget is “impossible” on current funding. At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Mr Burnham told ministers to “work together”, according to the Irish News, adding that the UK Government cannot always be the one to fix NI’s finances. The UK Government’s offer of just over £1.5bn over three years has not changed since it was put in writing on 10 September. Sir Chris has said there is no more Treasury money, and he has previously warned he would set a budget himself if the Executive fails to. On Thursday (22 October), BBC News reported that Executive parties gave different assessments of budget talks: Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald accused the UK Government of trying to “shortchange” people in NI, saying that extra funding offered to the Executive still falls “well short” of what is needed for public services and staff pay deals. However, DUP Leader Gavin Robinson described talks as “uncharacteristically” constructive, suggesting that discussions had a “sense of realism”. He acknowledged that the parties remained in “different places”, but said the discussions could give the Executive a “fighting chance to balance the books”. Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson also called for swift resolution, warning that the Budget process could not remain in “a state of suspended animation forever”. The effects of the deadlock are already showing. Hospital doctors have announced strike dates: resident doctors will walk out on 20 November, and consultants and SAS doctors will provide only Christmas Day-level cover on 23 November. It is now too late for a civil service pay settlement before Christmas, and universities face a potential £21m cut to teaching grants, according to BBC News.
What Next: Sir Chris has previously said that the absolute deadline for reaching a deal is January 2027. Further discussions will take place after the budget announcement next week.
First Minister questioned by police over Garvaghy Road protest
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald spent around 90 minutes at Musgrave Street police station on Wednesday (21 October). They were attending arranged interviews about the unnotified protest on the Garvaghy Road last month, according to the Irish News. Earlier that day, Ms O’Neill left an Executive Office Committee hearing during heated exchanges, citing a “hard stop” for the interview. DUP members accused her of avoiding scrutiny. deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly told the committee the protests had “fractured political relationships” across the Executive and the Assembly. Ms O’Neill said she would not resign if prosecuted, stating: “I am going nowhere.” The PSNI said invitations to interview went to those “reasonably suspected of committing offences”.
What Next: Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald, Sinn Féin’s Paul Maskey, Carál Ní Chuilín, Deirdre Hargey and Conor Murphy, and SDLP MLA Justin McNulty have also been invited to interview. No files have yet been reported as going to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
Troubles Bill clears the Commons
MPs passed the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill at Third Reading on Tuesday (20 October) by 330 votes to 178, according to UTV. That came after two days of debate on more than 150 government amendments. Under the changes, the Attorney General will decide whether serious Troubles-related prosecutions go ahead, and a new clause states that “on-the-run” letters cannot be used to stop a prosecution. MPs also rejected a DUP amendment that would have moved the Legacy Commission’s cut-off date to cover the Omagh bombing. DUP Leader Gavin Robinson and Alliance’s Sorcha Eastwood both criticised the Attorney General’s new role, and Labour veterans minister Al Carns warned the Bill does not protect veterans as it should.
What Next: The Bill now goes to the House of Lords, where Sir Chris has promised to address Robin Swann’s call for victims of sexual violence to be able to request investigations. No Lords dates have been set yet. The Irish Government’s legislation is due to come into force in step with the UK Bill.
Stakeholder Watch
Chris Hazzard MP (Sinn Féin, South Down): “I am honoured to have been selected as Sinn Féin’s Strangford candidate for the Assembly election. There has never been a Nationalist MLA in Strangford. You can change that next May. Together, let’s do it. Let’s make history and elect the first Sinn Féin MLA ever in Strangford.”
DUP: Unionism shouldn’t be turning in on itself when the focus should be on Sinn Fein and their lawbreaking. Everyone should want to see sanctions imposed on those who are in the wrong – not punishing everyone for the behaviour of republicans. @paulgivan
Sorcha Eastwood MP (Alliance, Lagan Valley): [on links between between British right wing activists, the far right and loyalist paramilitaries] “This is extremely disturbing. The links to Northern Ireland through Loyalist Paramilitaries here should be of concern to everyone. I will be following up with the relevant authorities. The past three summers in NI have shown the evil and destruction that these groups bring. But this is part of something much bigger; an attack on democracy, an attack on us all, ultimately to destabilise our values.”
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA: “Interviewed by police over Drumcree, yet still on the Policing Board scrutinising the very operation under investigation. How is that credible oversight? The UUP called for fundamental reform of the Board long before this debacle. The case is now impossible to ignore.”
Sinéad McLaughlin MLA (SDLP, Foyle): “[Budget] is an absolute shambles. It is having real life implications and the abdication of responsibility is totally unacceptable. We are better than this. 2 things are true, more money is necessary, but we need to support our people in the here and now. It is actually our job.”
TUV Leader Jim Allister MP: “Has DUP lost all self respect? O’Neill flaunts her defiance, boasting she’s going no where, demonstrating her confidence that the DUP will not face her down. She’s calling their bluff.”
Other Stories
Universities face £21m teaching cut
Department for the Economy Permanent Secretary Ian Snowden told the Economy Committee that both Queen’s and Ulster University expect deficits, according to BBC News. Ulster University confirmed that 735 staff had applied for voluntary redundancy as it seeks to cut 450 posts. Management meets the trade unions today.
Ministers clash over integrated education
Justice Minister Naomi Long accused Education Minister Paul Givan of having “attacked, diminished and undermined” integrated education. Mr Givan replied that he had introduced “a dose of reality” to the debate, according to the Irish News.
NI at risk of missing 2030 energy targets
A Public Accounts Committee report found “significant weaknesses” in how the Department for the Economy is delivering the Energy Strategy, according to BBC News. It calls for a regularly updated Energy Policy Statement and funded plans to deal with grid and storage constraints.
One in five children in poverty
A Joseph Rowntree Foundation report found that 19% of children in Northern Ireland, around 90,000, live in poverty. It calls on the Executive to adopt “a clear, long-term resourced plan to reduce poverty”.
Rural hospital campaigns unite
Campaign groups for the South West Acute, Daisy Hill, Causeway and Downe hospitals have written jointly to every Executive minister, according to the Irish News. They want changes to rural services to need collective Executive agreement.
Climate chief calls for “courage and leadership”
Nigel Topping, the new chair of the UK Climate Change Committee, said on a two-day visit that Northern Ireland needs “courage and leadership” to catch up on climate action, according to BBC News.
Three Sinn Féin MPs announced as candidates for next Assembly election
This week, Sinn Féin announced that South Down MP Chris Hazzard will hope to become the first ever nationalist MLA in the Strangford constituency, while Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen will stand for the party in South Belfast, and Pat Maskey MP will stand in West Belfast.
Across the Border
Legislation to scrap Triple Lock passes Dáil vote
On Wednesday (21 October), legislation to scrap the Triple Lock passed its first vote in the Dáil, 79 votes to 71. The Triple Lock requires the Government, Dáil, and United Nations to approve the deployment of any more than 12 members of the Irish Defence Forces overseas. The Bill would end the requirement for UN approval, according to RTÉ News. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee opened the debate, stating that members of the UN Security Council including Russia cannot be allowed to have a veto on Ireland’s contribution to international peacekeeping missions. Opposition TDs accused the Government of undermining Ireland’s military neutrality, with the legislation clearing the way for Ireland to participate in military operations without UN approval. The Bill will be further scrutinised at the Committee Stage, likely starting next month. It is expected the contentious legislation will be enacted before the end of the year.
Four candidates to contest Seanad bye-election with Fine Gael’s Ray McAdam expected to win
Four candidates are to contest a Seanad by-election, to fill the seat vacated by Fine Gael’s Seán Kyne after his election to the Dáil. Deputy Kyne won a seat in Galway West in a bye-election last May. Fine Gael have nominated Cllr Ray McAdam, who stood unsuccessfully for the party in May’s other bye-election in Dublin Central. He is also expected to have the backing of Fianna Fáil, who have not nominated a candidate of their own. Only sitting TDs and Senators can vote in Seanad by-elections, meaning Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil representatives make up 51.5% of the electorate. The other three candidates are: Dr Maeve O’Rourke, a lecturer at the Irish Centre for Human Rights and mother and baby homes campaigner, who has the backing of the Social Democrats and Labour; Caitlin Ní Bhroin, an Irish language advocate; and Patrick Paul Walsh, a university lecturer.
Criminal defence solicitors withdraw services over fees dispute with Justice Minister
This week, more than 100 criminal defence solicitors across Ireland commenced an “all-out withdrawal of services”, as a dispute over a new fee structure for criminal legal aid cases continues. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan introduce a new model, whereby solicitors are paid a flat fee for a case, replacing the old model which paid additional fees with each court appearance. At a meeting of the Oireachtas Justice Committee on Tuesday (20 October), Minister O’Callaghan accused striking solicitors of deliberately forcing adjournments of rape trials. During the meeting, Fine Gael TD Barry Ward said the remarks were “grossly unfair” and inaccurate.
What We’re Reading
David McCann: What Sinn Féin’s new Stormont candidates tell us about its plans
In the Irish News, David McCann looks at Sinn Féin’s decision to move MPs Pat Cullen and Chris Hazzard to Stormont for next May’s Assembly election. Cullen will stand in South Belfast and Mid Down and Hazzard in Strangford, where the party took just under 4% last time. McCann calls the move “shrewd,” and says it confirms that Sinn Féin’s “pathway to growth runs firmly through the Alliance Party.” Sinn Féin will be up against sitting Alliance MLAs in at least four seats, from South Down to Upper Bann. He also sees a longer-term strategy at work. Cullen is a potential health minister, and John Finucane would be a possible successor to Michelle O’Neill if he followed her. McCann says Sinn Féin now looks “confident and ambitious,” a big change from a few weeks ago.
Forward Look
Friday 23 October 2026
Social Enterprise Awards for NI 2026, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast
Monday 26 – Friday 30 October 2026
Assembly in Recess
Oireachtas in Recess
Thursday 29 October 2026
NI Chamber- Public Affairs Forum: Autumn Budget Briefing, Pinsent Masons, Belfast. Read more here.
Wednesday 4 – Monday 9 November 2026
Commons in Recess
Wednesday 11 November 2026
NI Chamber- Energy Forum, Riddel Hall, Belfast. Read more here.
Wednesday 18 November 2026
North West Future of Energy Conference & Exhibition 2026, White Horse Hotel- Read more here.
Thursday 19 November – Friday 20 November 2026
NIFHA Annual Conference 2026, Slieve Donard Hotel- Read more here.
Saturday 21 November 2026
TEDxStormont, Parliament Buildings- Read more here.
Wednesday 25 November 2026
Housing Rights Private Rented Sector Conference, Skainos Centre, Belfast. Read more here.
Tuesday 8th December 2026
Energy Seminar and Christmas Connect (RenewableNI and A&L Goodbody). Read more here.
Thursday 10 December 2026
NIFHA Housing Finance Conference, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Templepatrick- Read more here.
Thursday 10 December 2026
NI Chamber- Public Affairs Forum: Autumn Budget Briefing, Pinsent Masons, Belfast. Read more here.
Monday 14 December – Friday 1 January 2027
Assembly in Recess
Thursday 17 December – Monday 4 January 2027
Commons in Recess
Monday 21 December – Thursday 14 January 2027
Oireachtas in Recess
Wednesday 13 January 2027
KESS- Small Scale Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland: Considerations when legislating. 13:30-16:00, Parliament Buildings, Long Gallery. Read more here.
Thursday 11 February – Sunday 21 February 2027
Commons in Recess
Thursday 18th February 2027
RenewableNI annual conference. Read more here.
Monday 15 March – Thursday 25 March 2027
Oireachtas in Recess
Monday 22 March 2027 – Dissolution
Assembly in recess
Thursday 25 March – Sunday 11 April 2027
Commons in Recess
Thursday 29 April – Monday 3 May 2027
Commons in Recess
Monday 3 May – Thursday 6 May 2027
Oireachtas in Recess
Thursday 27 May – Sunday 7 June 2027
Commons in Recess
Monday 7 June – Friday 11 June 2027
Oireachtas in Recess
Monday 26 July – Friday 30 July 2027
Oireachtas in Recess
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