Stormont’s top challenge is ‘severe underfunding of public services’ – O’Neill

The Stormont Assembly’s greatest challenge is the “severe underfunding of public services”, the First Minister has said.

Michelle O’Neill conceded that relations within the Executive, comprised of four different political parties, are “difficult and complex” but insisted the “greatest challenge is the severe underfunding of our public services”.

She accused the Labour Government of not keeping its promise of a “new dawn”, and instead “continuing along a similar path” as the Conservatives.

Recent months saw the Northern Ireland Executive struggle to find the cash to deliver pay parity with colleagues in the rest of the UK for healthcare workers, teachers and police staff.

There have also been spats between Sinn Fein and DUP ministers, particularly around funding allocations.

But in her New Year message, Ms O’Neill said London will “never prioritise the interests of the people of the north of Ireland”, and called for constitutional change.

Almost two years on from the restoration of the Assembly and re-establishment of the Executive made up of ministers from Sinn Fein, the DUP, UUP and Alliance, Ms O’Neill said the “often conflicting political positions are difficult and complex”.

“It has undoubtedly been challenging but when ministers work together constructively there has been real progress made,” she said.

“The greatest challenge that we face collectively is, of course, the severe underfunding of our public services.

“When the British Labour Party came to power in 2024, they promised a new dawn after years of Tory cuts and austerity. Yet with a continuing cost-of-living crisis and a recent budget that failed to support workers, families and businesses in a meaningful way, Labour has continued along a similar path to the Tories.

“Austerity, cuts and stealth tax increases are all measures that hit those with the lowest incomes, rather than taxing the wealthy. That is a wrong.

“The reality is London has never and will never prioritise the interests of the people of the north of Ireland.

“Only where we can make our own decisions on this island will we be able to build sustainable public services.”

Ms O’Neill urged the British and Irish governments to engage in preparations for constitutional change now.

“Sinn Fein has called for a referendum by 2030, and I will continue to press that case,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms O’Neill hailed 2026 as “promising to be an exciting year”.

“Belfast will host Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, a significant moment for Irish culture and language, building on the historic appointment of the North’s first Commissioner for the Irish Language in October,” she said.

“There is an Irish saying: Tus maith leath na hoibre – a good start is half the work.

“Let us make a strong start to 2026. The future is ours to shape and, by working together, we can make it a brighter one.”