Weekly Bulletin 06/11/26

Calls for unionist unity fell flat this week as division continued, with MP Carla Lockhart quitting the DUP on Monday. Thursday’s budget negotiations produced no breakthrough, leaving Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant decrying “abnormal” politics, while DUP MP Gavin Robinson and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald both told him to return to “reality”. Constitutional questions loomed large in Ireland as Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced a Futures Study Initiative to examine the island’s constitutional future, Tánaiste Simon Harris is set to unveil Fine Gael’s blueprint for a united Ireland, and the SDLP launched its programme for Stormont reform in Dublin.
Sam Lett, Account Executive

What you need to know

Carla Lockhart quits the DUP as unionist turmoil deepens
On Monday (2 November), Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart resigned from the DUP over its response to the Drumcree dispute, according to BBC News. Ms Lockhart had been calling for the party to withdraw the deputy First Minister to force First Minister Michelle O’Neill from office over her involvement in protests on the Garvaghy Road. She will sit as an independent at Westminster, reducing the DUP to four MPs, its lowest number in 25 years. In a letter posted on X, she described leaving as a “difficult and deeply personal decision” taken on a “point of principle”. Her exit came amid reports that the party had split into three factions, with the so-called “Lisburn Mafia” of Paul Givan, Edwin Poots and Jonathan Buckley said to favour Mr Givan as leader, according to the Belfast Telegraph. Mr Buckley’s call for formal unionist unity talks, which he said had triggered a “dirty tricks” campaign against him, was dismissed by TUV Leader Jim Allister as “O’Neill Must Stay” dressed up in “the appealing garb of unionist unity”. The DUP said it regretted Ms Lockhart’s decision, warning that “the only winner out of further divisions within unionism is Sinn Féin”, while Gavin Robinson insisted the party was “fully behind” his position on Drumcree. That claim was tested on Friday by LucidTalk polling for the Belfast Telegraph, which found Mr Robinson the least popular unionist leader on 47%, behind Ms Lockhart (68%), UUP Leader Jon Burrows (66%), Mr Allister (60%) and even loyalist activist Jamie Bryson (55%).
What Next: Ms Lockhart has ruled out forming a new party but wants to help build a grassroots unionist movement, and intends to stand again in Upper Bann. Mr Robinson and Mr Burrows have agreed to talks on unionist cooperation, and LucidTalk’s quarterly poll of party support is expected this weekend.

No budget breakthrough as Secretary of State says there is “no more money”
Thursday’s talks between Executive parties and Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant ended without agreement on a budget, with Sir Chris telling BBC Newsline he was “frustrated” and that the parties “have to take me seriously when I say there is no more money”. He is understood to have set conditions for any deal, including revenue raising and no departmental overspend this year. Earlier in the week, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir had warned colleagues it was “make your mind up time”, according to the News Letter, with ministers arguing the UK Government’s offer of around £1.5bn over three years, including £525m this year, is not enough. Executive parties maintain that a balanced budget is impossible without more funding. Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said Sir Chris was “not amenable to reality”, while DUP Leader Gavin Robinson said he must choose “whether he sticks with his position, or whether he accepts the reality”, according to the News Letter.
What Next: Departments can spend up to 95% of last year’s allocation, with warnings that money could run out by January, and the stalemate raises the prospect of Westminster setting the budget. UUP Leader Jon Burrows warned that time is running out to avert strike action by health workers waiting on this year’s pay uplift.

Taoiseach launches study of Ireland’s constitutional future as survey finds trust in politicians near Europe’s lowest
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced a Futures Study Initiative to examine the constitutional future of the island of Ireland, according to BBC News. It will consider three scenarios: a unitary republic governed primarily from Dublin, an all-island state retaining devolved government in Northern Ireland, and the continuation of current arrangements under the Good Friday Agreement. It will look at the implications for the economy, health, education, security, law and culture, and will invite contributions from political parties and other groups, including unionists and loyalists. The initiative will publish a report for the Irish Government but will not recommend an outcome. Sinn Féin welcomed the move but called for it to be matched by an all-island Citizens’ Assembly. The announcement was followed on Friday by the latest Northern Ireland Life & Times survey, reported by the Irish News, which found support for remaining in the UK at 44–46% and for a united Ireland at 33–39%. Nearly two-thirds (64%) would want Stormont retained, at least temporarily, under any future arrangement, yet respondents rated local politicians just 2.6 out of 10 for trust, below their counterparts in the Republic (4.2) and Great Britain (3.1). Support for the Good Friday Agreement remains relatively strong, though the share calling it “perfectly good” has nearly halved since 2019, from 33% to 18%.
What Next: Fine Gael is expected to unveil its own blueprint for Irish unity at its ard fheis in Cork this weekend, and Fianna Fáil will hold a dedicated meeting on the issue in the coming weeks.

Stakeholder Watch

John Finucane MP (Sinn Féin, North Belfast): “It was great to visit Hazlewood College recently & have a good chat with students about the proposed changes to the curriculum. Hazlewood is a brilliant integrated school & it was fantastic to see the work they’re doing. The young people I spoke to have real concerns about these changes, & I share them. We absolutely need to improve our education system, but more exams, less coursework & more pressure being piled on students & teachers isn’t the way to do it. There’s so much more to education than simply passing exams. Paul Givan needs to listen to what young people & teachers are telling him & rethink his plans before it’s too late.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly: “It was an honour to attend and speak at the formal opening ceremony of Resurgent Hall, an almost £100m investment which unlocks the new ship building capacity. For generations, Harland & Wolff has been central to the story of this city. The ships built there carried Belfast’s name around the world, demonstrating the skill, craftsmanship and ingenuity of our people. Belfast leading the way in shipbuilding and innovation. We are immensely proud of that rich history and heritage.”

Alliance: “People in NI want delivery, not more psychodrama from their political representatives. From tackling waiting lists, to bringing down living costs and working towards a shared future, our focus remains on the issues that matter most. @sianalliance

Health Minister Robbie Butler: “Delighted to speak at the @RCOTNIreland Manifesto launch at Stormont today. OTs make a huge difference, supporting independence and helping people live life to the full. Thomas, a young Belfast man with cerebral palsy, delivered the speech of the day. His wheelchair has helped him live his best life, and he now supports other young people with disabilities through health and fitness. A brilliant reminder of what the right support can achieve.”

SDLP: “Stormont can’t keep going from one crisis to the next. Our new paper, Politics for the Common Good, sets out practical changes to end political deadlock and make the Executive work better. Better politics now. Towards a New Ireland. Read more at https://sdlp.ie”

Carla Lockhart MP (Independent, Upper Bann): “Today I resigned from the DUP and will sit as an independent member in the House of Commons. I do not intend to give a running commentary, but rest assured I am not going away. I stand on my reputation and for what I believe in. Anything else would be wrong.”

Other Stories

Executive Office Committee says chaotic O’Neill session caused “huge” reputational damage
Members of the Committee for The Executive Office have said the committee suffered “huge” reputational damage after a chaotic session at which the First Minister was questioned over Drumcree, according to the Belfast Telegraph. The session saw heated exchanges between Ms O’Neill and DUP MLA Phillip Brett before she left for a police interview. Chair Paula Bradshaw said it was “abhorrent” that Assembly staff had to witness it, while Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis, who revealed she had received a death threat, said the committee’s reputation was “in tatters”.

Head of the Civil Service cannot override Givan’s block on officials
Head of the Civil Service Jayne Brady told the Committee for Education she cannot override Education Minister Paul Givan’s direction barring senior officials from appearing before it, according to the News Letter. Mr Givan issued the direction over what he claimed was inappropriate questioning by Deputy Chair Pat Sheehan, which Mr Sheehan rejects. Ms Brady noted the committee has legal powers to compel witnesses, but the boycott remains in place.

SDLP proposes moving the Assembly to Belfast city centre
The SDLP has proposed moving the Assembly from Parliament Buildings to Belfast city centre by 2032, according to the Irish News, with Opposition Leader Matthew O’Toole calling Stormont “detached in its location”. Its wider Politics for the Common Good reforms, launched in Dublin on Wednesday, would also stop a single party collapsing the Executive and allocate the Justice Ministry through d’Hondt.

Moyle Interconnector fault halves electricity imports ahead of winter
A fault has halved the capacity of the Moyle Interconnector, Northern Ireland’s electricity link with Great Britain, according to BBC News. Operator Mutual Energy says the problem lies with onshore equipment rather than the undersea cable, with an estimated return to service of 13 December. SONI expects enough generation to meet demand under normal conditions but warned that failure to restore the link would increase risks to the system.

Belfast bids for a third Fleadh
Belfast City Council will bid to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann for a third consecutive year in 2028, according to the Belfast Telegraph. This year’s festival drew an estimated 1.6 million visitors, more than double initial projections, and returns to the city from 1 to 8 August 2027.

Harland & Wolff opens £100m fabrication hall
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended the opening of Resurgent Hall at Harland & Wolff, an almost £100m investment that unlocks new shipbuilding capacity in Belfast. UUP MLA Andy Allen said the facility would support more than 900 skilled jobs and apprenticeships.

Daisy Hill inpatient maternity services to move to Craigavon
The Southern Trust has approved the temporary relocation of inpatient maternity services from Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry to Craigavon Area Hospital. DUP MLAs addressed the Trust board before the decision, calling it “deeply regrettable”, while Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes said pressure must stay on the Trust and the Health Minister to find a solution.

Row over call for “deal” with dissidents as PSNI marks 25 years
The DUP and UUP have rejected former Policing Board Vice Chair Denis Bradley’s suggestion that a “deal” be struck with dissident republicans to boost Catholic recruitment to the PSNI. Marking the service’s 25th anniversary, UUP Leader Jon Burrows said: “Nobody should need the permission of terrorists to join the police.” Justice Minister Naomi Long said confidence in policing “must transcend the politics of the moment”.

UK and EU agree draft food and parcels deal
A draft UK-EU agreement on food and plant products was welcomed across parties, alongside confirmation that “not at risk” consumer parcels into Northern Ireland will be exempt from new EU handling fees. The UUP’s Steve Aiken warned that new EU customs rules and parts of the EU AI Act would still widen the gap with Great Britain, saying: “If there is anything the Stormont Brake should be applied to, this is it.”

One in five households ran out of food, Trussell figures show
New figures from Trussell show that 21% of people in Northern Ireland reported their household had run out of food and could not afford more in the last year. Alliance Communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland called on the Communities Minister to bring forward a funded Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Parties name more Assembly candidates
Sinn Féin will stand three candidates in North Belfast: Carál Ní Chuilín, Gerry Kelly and Councillor Maighréad Ní Chonghaile. Alliance has re-selected Stewart Dickson and Danny Donnelly in East Antrim, and David Honeyford and Michelle Guy in Lagan Valley.

Across the Border

Media organisations evacuated as politicians condemn recent wave of hybrid warfare
The Irish Times reported that media organisations – RTÉ, Newstalk and Mediahuis – were forced to evacuate their buildings after receiving security alerts warning of email bomb threats. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan stated that an active investigation was ongoing. He attributed the threats to hybrid attacks and called for stronger cooperation and coordination at EU level. The incident follows a week of bomb threats against airlines across Europe, including a Ryanair flight in Dublin, cyberattacks hitting food supplies and hoax email threats sent to 300 schools in Northern Ireland. In a statement, the Irish Government said that “it seems likely that this is a coordinated campaign of disruption”. Against this backdrop, Ireland is preparing to host a major summit of more than 50 European leaders. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has assured that “everything that needs to be done and should be done will be done to ensure security and safety”. MEP Regina Doherty urged European leaders to exert greater focus on hybrid warfare, declaring: “We must get serious about defending our citizens”.

Irish labour productivity more than double EU average, driven by multinationals
Irish labour productivity, a measure of the efficiency of the labour force, fell by 2.9% in the first quarter of 2026, according to Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures. Despite the decline, Ireland still has the most productive labour force in the EU. However, this headline figure masks a stark disparity between the domestic and foreign sectors. The foreign sector, which is dominated by foreign multinational enterprises, averaged €460 per hour, while the domestic sector stood at €58.90 per hour. The Irish Examiner reported that, when the two sectors are combined, Irish labour productivity is valued at €111.70 per hour, more than double the EU average of €47.90.

2,700 new build social homes delivered in first half of 2026, but sector concerned about recent changes
On Monday (2 November), the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage published its Q2 2026 social housing delivery statistics. In the first six months of this year, 2,731 new-build social homes were constructed, representing a 51% increase on the same period for 2025. Also published was the latest Construction Status Report, which showed that 22,206 social homes were at various stages of design and construction at the end of June 2026. However, the Journal reports that Approved Housing Bodies are concerned with recent policy changes from the Minister, including the phasing out of turnkey housing being purchased by AHBs, and the reported cap of 5,000 homes for the AHB sector. Eibhlin O’Connor, chief commercial officer of Clúid, said “the lack of clarity is the problem,” and the changes “could slow” building down in the short term.

What We’re Reading

How different would NI politics be if there were a few pubs around Stormont?
In Thursday’s Irish Times, Newton Emerson writes about the SDLP’s proposal to relocate the Northern Ireland Assembly to “more appropriate and more accessible” site in Belfast city centre. While Emerson believes “there is no chance of the Assembly moving”, he credits the idea as “a clever way to generate interest” in reform of the institutions. He writes that while “the public may feel increasingly alienated from devolved Government, there is no evidence this is due to location or architecture”. He does, however, acknowledge that there is a real problem for the people who constitute a “political village” – the politicians, party staff, officials, lobbyists, journalists, and so on. There is “no equivalent of Kildare Street in Dublin or the pubs and clubs around Westminster to socialise and conduct informal business”, save for the Stormont Hotel, which is soon to be turned into a retirement home. Emerson writes while political villages usually find a way come together, Stormont is “highly usual as a large devolved government district on the edge of a provincial city”. “Also,” he adds, “national governments rarely collapse for years at a time”. He suggests that Stormont could “reduce its physical isolation” by opening up the surrounding estate to development, but “it is difficult to build houses or open bars in Belfast due to overloaded sewers and antiquated liquor licensing laws”, demonstrating that “rather than a move, Stormont mostly needs to get a move on”

Forward Look

Wednesday 11 November 2026
NI Chamber- Energy Forum, Hilton Hotel, 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
Assembly dissolved ahead of election

Thursday 25 March – Sunday 11 April 2027
Commons in Recess

Thursday 29 April – Monday 3 May 2027
Commons in Recess

Thursday 6 May 2027
Deadline for next Assembly election

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