News, analysis, and updates on all policy areas and the work of Northern Ireland’s government departments.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have marked International Women’s Day 2026 by hosting a celebration at Stormont for women from voluntary and grassroots organisations. The event highlighted the “often-unseen work” of community volunteers, aligning with this year’s global theme of “Give to Gain” — a […]
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have appointed two new lay members to the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC), the independent body responsible for selecting judges up to High Court level. Mrs Deirdre Toner and Mr Mark Mitchell will serve four-year terms from 25 February
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have unveiled a memorial plaque at Stormont to honour victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse, fulfilling the final recommendation of the landmark inquiry chaired by Sir Anthony Hart nearly a decade ago. The ceremony in the Great Hall at
Jayne Brady, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, has announced four senior appointments to Permanent Secretary and Departmental Solicitor roles across the Northern Ireland Executive. Confirmed on 4 February 2026, the appointments follow external recruitment competitions held in autumn 2025 and will see new leadership take charge at the
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly welcomed Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland, to Stormont Castle on 4 February 2026, marking her first official visit to Northern Ireland since inauguration. While Ms Connolly had travelled to Belfast in October 2025 as President-elect—attending the Oireachtas na Samhna festival
Investment aims to turn MDF dust into clean power The First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have endorsed a £9 million plan by Dungannon-based manufacturer O&S Doors to install a biomass-fuelled Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant. The system will combust medium-density fibreboard (MDF) dust —
Belfast gathers to honour Holocaust victims and urge a new generation to remember Belfast City Hall fell silent on Tuesday evening as First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly joined Holocaust survivor Janine Webber to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The annual commemoration, organised by The Executive Office,
The Executive Office has released its latest statistics on individual wellbeing in Northern Ireland for 2024/25. The update covers loneliness, self-efficacy, personal wellbeing (life satisfaction, happiness, anxiety and “worthwhile” scores) and locus of control. While headline results show little change from last year, the figures illuminate pockets of inequality that
Who is publishing what, and why it matters The Executive Office has released its latest Individual Wellbeing in Northern Ireland 2024/25 statistics, covering loneliness, self-efficacy, personal wellbeing and locus of control. These annual figures are one of the few official yardsticks for how people feel about their lives beyond traditional
New survey data from The Executive Office (TEO) sheds fresh light on how Northern Ireland’s 16-year-olds view refugees and asylum seekers. The findings, published today in the report ‘Young People’s Attitudes to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Northern Ireland 2025’, track opinion change since 2017 and will inform Executive policy
