Chambré Public Affairs

NI politicians criticise welfare reforms NI politicians have strongly criticised the UK Government’s plans to reform the welfare system. Both First Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA and DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP accused the Government of targeting the “sick and the vulnerable” through the changes. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the reforms will save £5bn a year by the end of 2030. These include narrowing the eligibility criteria for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a benefit for people who need help …

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Stormont politicians visit US for St Patrick’s Day celebrations Over the past week several MLAs visited the US for St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA was in Boston and New York, alongside Invest NI officials, highlighting Northern Ireland as a “leading location for innovation, investment and international trade”. Meanwhile, at the start of the week the First Minister and deputy First Minister led a business delegation to North Carolina to “showcase the local economy and develop key …

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Executive publishes Programme for Government On Monday (3 March), the NI Executive’s Programme for Government (PfG) was approved by Assembly members following a day of debate. First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly presented the 100-page PfG in the chamber, outlining nine key priorities: • Grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy • Deliver more affordable childcare • Cut health waiting lists • End violence against women and girls • Better support for children and young people with special …

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Executive agrees Programme for Government On Thursday (27 February), Executive Ministers signed off on the finalised Programme for Government. The document sets out the Executive’s immediate priorities for the remainder of the current mandate. First Minister Michell O’Neill MLA said: “We believe this PfG will provide a roadmap for delivery in this mandate.” The Executive published a draft PfG in September 2024, and received over 1400 responses to the public consultation and the impact assessment consultation. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said they …

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Finance Minister confirms rise in regional rate Responding to an Assembly written question this week, Finance Minister John O’Dowd MLA confirmed that the Executive has now formally agreed his proposals to raise the regional rate for 2025/26 as set out if the draft Budget before Christmas. Under the proposals, the Domestic Regional Rate is set to increase by 5% (twice the current rate of inflation) and the Non-Domestic Regional Rate by 3%. The news comes as all 11 local councils across NI have reported their district rates increases for …

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Sinn Féin unveils significant Assembly team reshuffle  On Monday (3 February) Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD was in Parliament Buildings to announce a significant reshuffle of the party’s front bench at Stormont. The move followed confirmation that Economy Minister Conor Murphy was to resign from his ministerial role following his election to the Seanad (Upper House of the Irish Parliament). Former Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA has taken over the Economy portfolio and she has been replaced by former …

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Executive Ministers brief Assembly on response to Storm Éowyn On Monday (27 January) the First Minister and deputy First Ministers made a lengthy statement in the Assembly regarding the Executive’s response to Storm Éowyn. First Minister Michelle O’Neil MLA told MLAs that there had been close engagement with the UK Government on securing additional resources for NI Electricity Networks; including direct engagement with the Prime Minister, and COBRA meetings.  It was put it to NIE Networks that there needed to be a goodwill payment to assist …

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First Minister defends Executive’s record on delivery On Monday (13 January), First Minister Michelle O’Neill defended the NI Executive’s performance during its first year since restoration. Speaking alongside Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald, Ms O’Neill said the Executive had “made huge strides forward” despite the backdrop of “14 years of austerity, which crippled public services”. Highlighting the Executive’s progress, the First Minister cited the Good Jobs Bill, the settlement of public pay disputes, the Strategy to End Violence Against Women …

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Economy Minister warns of ‘devastating impact’ on tourism sector as ETA scheme goes live In a press release issued by the Department for the Economy on Tuesday (7 January), Minister Conor Murphy MLA pressed the Home Office to reconsider their implementation of the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, warning it will have a devastating impact on tourism in the region. Under the scheme, as of the 8 January, visitors from 48 more countries need to apply for an ETA (digital travel permit) …

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Economy Minister Conor Murphy to contest Irish Seanad election Sinn Féin Economy Minister Conor Murphy announced on Monday (30 December) that he will run for election to Seanad Éireann (Senate of Ireland). The Seanad is the upper house of the Irish parliament, serving similar function to the House of Lords in the UK. Mr Murphy will be contesting one of the 43 seats elected from vocational panels, voted on by county and city councillors along with incoming TDs and outgoing …

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Stormont votes to extend Windsor Framework On Tuesday evening (10 December), the Assembly voted for the continued implementation of Articles 5 to 10 of the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland’s post Brexit trading arrangements. According to BBC News, the Assembly debate lasted over six hours, with the motion passing by 48 to 36 votes. There was no cross-community support required for the motion to pass, and the three unionist parties (DUP, UUP and TUV) voted against the motion whereas Sinn Féin, …

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UK Government says Windsor Framework is ‘only available’ basis for stability in NI The UK Government says the Windsor Framework is “the only available and credible” basis for stability in Northern Ireland, ruling out alternatives. The Government defended the Windsor Framework in a document published ahead of next Tuesday’s vote in the Assembly on whether to extend the post-Brexit trading arrangements (specifically Articles 5- 10 of the Windsor Framework) for a further four years. Within the ten page document, which …

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Finance Minister raises concerns over National Insurance increase impact on local public sector budgets Briefing the Northern Ireland Assembly Finance Committee on Wednesday 27 November, Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA said she is “very concerned” about the impact of the increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, announced in the Chancellor’s budget, will have on public sector employers in Northern Ireland, according to BBC News NI. While Dr Archibald acknowledged the the British Government is committed to supporting public sector …

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Executive agrees £700m of October monitoring round allocations On Monday (11 November), Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA  updated the Assembly on the October monitoring round, allocating £700m in funds. The Department of Health received the largest share of £350m, but Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA has warned that the Department remains £100m short of a balanced budget and may struggle to patch UK-wide pay increases. The Department for Education was allocated £170m and the Department of Justice will receive £36m, with …

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Finance Minister says ‘unprecedented’ Budget does not make up for austerity On Monday (4 November), Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA provided the Assembly with an update on the Autumn Budget Statement implications for Northern Ireland’s public finances. She said that the “unprecedented” level of funding allocated to Stormont in the Budget would not undo the damage caused by 14 years of austerity. The Minister added that current pressures are “so severe” it will take “time and significant further investment …

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Chancellor confirms City Deals will proceed in Autumn Budget Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP announced during Wednesday’s (30 October) Autumn Budget that the City Deals for Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West will proceed. The deals will deliver a combined investment from the UK Government of £162 million over 15 years to rural areas in NI. The Chancellor also announced that the Northern Ireland Executive will be provided with a £18.2 billion settlement in 2025/26, including a …

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Political, policy and regulatory developments impacting Northern Ireland What you need to know this week Northern Ireland General Election survey results published Data from the newly published 2024 Northern Ireland General Election Survey shows that the TUV was the main beneficiary from a decrease in the DUP’s vote in the July general election. According to the Irish News, the DUP saw its vote share drop by 8.5 percentage points, with only 17% of those who voted for the DUP in …

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  Political, policy and regulatory developments impacting Northern Ireland What you need to know this week Sinn Féin faces pressure amid Niall Ó Donnghaile controversy Sinn Féin faced increasing pressure around its handling of former Lord Mayor of Belfast Niall Ó Donnghaile’s resignation from the party and the Seanad last October. Mr Ó Donnghaile’s departure from the Seanad was not publically announced until December when health reasons were given for his stepping down. And t was not revealed at the …

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