Stormont: Positive start but ‘more to do’ after first year

The Northern Ireland Executive has achieved “significant” progress in its first year in operation but there is “much more to do” to improve public services.

That was the joint verdict of First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly as they were asked about its track record to date.

O’Neill told BBC News NI the four-party coalition is doing its best and must put its “shoulder to the wheel”.

Little-Pengelly said the shortened term was always going to be a “challenge” and big issues like health waiting lists would never be eradicated in the 12-month period.

“But we’ve made a really strong start,” she added.

Devolved government was restored at Stormont exactly 12 months ago after a two-year gap due to a stand-off over post-Brexit trade rules.

O’Neill said they had made “huge strides forward” including securing nearly £500m in extra funding for public services and settling public sector pay disputes.

She added that the situation in health was not acceptable but does not believe the executive had ‘”left it all” to the health minister.

“We need to see significant progress in this area, we know this is an area that will require significant investment and that’s why it has got over half of the budget” she added.

O’Neill said the challenges in the health system have been here a long time and described the situation as “trying to turn a tanker”.

Little-Pengelly said prioritisation was key and that was evident in the draft programme for government focusing on the issues that matter most to people.

Little-Pengelly said the executive needed a plan for the health department.

“It is the case we can’t continue to spend as we doing, if we are prioritising health, we need that plan from health.”

O’Neill was asked how she felt about a call from her predecessor, Baroness Arlene Foster, for her to be prosecuted if she attends future IRA commemorations.

Baroness Foster, a former leader of the DUP, accused O’Neill of “glorifying terrorism” over her attendance at a recent event in Magherafelt.

It commemorated three IRA members who died when the bomb they were driving exploded prematurely in 1971.

Foster told the House of Lords that a change in the law was needed “to deal with those in authority who continue to exalt and deify terrorists”.

O’Neill replied: “I don’t agree with Arlene Foster’s assertion.

“I think that it’s important that we’re all respectful of everybody that’s lost [loved ones during the Troubles].

“We’ve a very complicated and difficult past but let’s try to be respectful of each other.”

O’Neill insisted she would continue to keep her promise to be “a first minister for all”.

O’Neill and Little-Pengelly were also asked about their own personal relationship after a year in office together – specifically if they now considered themselves as “friends”.

“Yes I think we are. I mean, I think we’ve got a very challenging job,” O’Neill replied.

“Leading in a four-party coalition, in our unique circumstances, is always challenging but I think that we both put up our best efforts every day to try to make it work.”

Little-Pengelly added: “As we said from the outset, we’re very different people with very different views.

“There are things that we won’t agree on of course, but I think the key thing is that we are determined to deliver for people.

“This is a professional working relationship and I think we work very well together and we will continue to do that,” the deputy first minister added.