Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly have denied that a "toxic" relationship in the leadership of the Stormont Executive is impacting on delivery. The First Minister and deputy First Minister appeared together before their scrutiny committee on Wednesday where they were told the public perception of the Executive is one of "unedifying bickering".
The two largest parties in the powersharing Executive quickly became embroiled in a row over whether the Army should attend a jobs fair after MLAs returned to Stormont this week following the summer recess. The Army had been due to attend the event in Londonderry but withdrew after some Sinn Fein, SDLP and independent councillors objected.
Committee criticism over divisions
Executive Office Committee chairwoman Paula Bradshaw detailed areas where she said the Executive had failed to make progress. She said: "What we are seeing is a lot of very unedifying bickering between political representatives from both your parties."
Bradshaw added: "I would put it to you that we are not seeing progress on these pieces of work because I think it suits both your parties politically to keep this place divided and to keep people suspicious of each other." Both O'Neill and the DUP's Little-Pengelly said they disagreed with that assessment.
Defence of delivery record
O'Neill said: "The real work here is about being focused on building a good society, a fair society, an inclusive society." She highlighted that the Executive had launched a programme for government, secured an additional £1.3 billion in finances for public services and launched a childcare package.
Little-Pengelly said: "We will have differences, there will be differences across the parties. At the heart of all of this, 99% of time is spent getting on with things, pushing things through the department, trying to get that delivery."
Army jobs fair controversy
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said earlier this week he believed Sinn Fein vice president O'Neill had demonstrated she was not a "First Minister for all" and needed to show leadership. O'Neill responded by telling Robinson to "butt out" and respect the council decision.
When asked about the Army jobs fair row, O'Neill said: "The DUP might not like the outcome of the local councillors in Derry City and Strabane, but in my opinion it is the right outcome, it is the right thing to do for the people of Derry, and everyone just needs to move on." DUP MLA Brian Kingston responded: "I think that is an appalling comment."
Concerns about mandate stability
SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin said: "I have to say I am really, really dismayed at how toxic this environment is in this place." Independent MLA Clare Sugden said the Executive looked "volatile" and asked for commitment that they would see out the end of the mandate.
Sugden added: "There may be four parties but there is one government, and I don't see any form of collective responsibility. In the last number of days, weeks and months it feels so toxic, and the people out there don't want to see that from us."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
