What you need to knowInfrastructure Minister to appeal A5 decision
On Wednesday (6 August), the Department for Infrastructure confirmed that it had served a Notice of Appeal against the court judgement, which blocked construction of the new A5 dual carriageway. According to BBC News, the £1.7bn project was approved by ministers in October 2024, but a judge, Justice McAlinden, ruled in June that the plans breached climate targets under the Climate Change Act. The A5 is a key cross-border route connecting the north-west, linking Donegal and Derry~Londonderry to Dublin. Over 50 people have died on the road since 2006, and campaigners say the upgrade is essential. In a press statement, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA said: “it is important that we appeal the decision made in the High Court on 23 June. Too many lives have been lost on the A5, and far too many have been injured. We owe it to those people and their families to use every opportunity available to us to improve road safety in this area.” Diana Armstrong MLA (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone) urged the Minister to “carefully consider the wider human impact” of the appeal and to engage “constructively” with all stakeholders.
What next: Minister Kimmins confirmed that the Department is “determined to build the A5”. New Commissioner for Victims and Survivors appointed
On Monday (4 August), the First Minister and deputy First Minister announced the appointment of Joe McVey as the new Commissioner for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland. In a written statement to the Assembly, they said that the role of the Commissioner is “essential in providing victims and survivors with a strong, independent voice”. According to the Belfast Telegraph, the position has been vacant since 2023, after Ian Jeffers left the position to become Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland. Joe McVey, former Chief Executive of Brain Injury Matters, has previously served as a Commissioner at the Equality Commission and as a non-executive director of the Belfast Health and South Care Trust. Kenny Donaldson of victims’ group the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) said that new Commissioner must advocate for a “fair and balanced outcome for legacy which delivers for all constituencies of victims/survivors”.
What next: Brian Kingston MLA (DUP, North Belfast) said his party welcomed the appointment and urged the new commissioner to work on reducing application times for the victim’s pension. Councillor Denise Johnston (SDLP, Mid Ulster), while welcoming the appointment, suggested that the delay showed that “victims and survivors are not high on the Executive’s list of priorities”. Organised Crime Task Force results welcomed by Justice Minister
On Thursday (7 August), the Department of Justice published the 2023/24 Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) report. The OCTF, a voluntary, multi-agency partnership, was established in 2000 and has over 50 partner organisations, including Border Force and the NI Environmrnt Agency. The report shows that during 2023/24, 61 organised crime groups operating in NI were being investigated by the PSNI with 222 arrests made relateding to organised crime groups and 8,472 drug seizures made by the PSNI, 94% of which involved Class A drugs. Additionally, the report found that 496 potential victims of modern slavery and human trafficking were referred to the National Referral Mechanism, a support network for victims, by the OCTF. On cyber-crime, the report noted that in an increasingly ICT dependent world, cyber crime continues to be a feature of the organised crime landscape in Northern Ireland, with 427 cyber crimes reported during this period. And social media hacking returns as the most reported cyber offence in Northern Ireland.
What next: Responding to the report, Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA said: ”The excellent work and persistence in pursuing criminals who set out to exploit, threaten and spread misery across communities should not be underestimated but everybody’s help is needed to combat organised crime.” Stakeholder Watch First Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA (SF, Mid Ulster): “Misogyny is deeply ingrained in Irish society. Every woman lost is a life stolen. A mother, sister, daughter, or aunt, ripped from those who loved her. We all have a role to play in our communities, sports clubs, workplaces, and politics, to tackle this scourge head on”. [see video] Deborah Erskine MLA (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone): [regarding A5 appeal] “Appeal is valid route to take but the Minister must level with people. Work will not commence any time soon. Minister should look urgently at what other steps can be taken to make A5 safer, deal with climate change targets & work fairly with landowners impacted by DfI failures”. David Honeyford MLA (Alliance, Lagan Valley): [in response to an Irish News opinion piece by Brian Feeney entitled ‘The DUP are the main reason Stormont has achieved so little’] “Brian Feeney is right to call out DUP obstruction — but this isn’t just about nationalism. Blocking North-South trade holds back jobs, investment & growing opportunity for everyone here. That should matter to everyone. No party should stand in the way of progress #sharedpresent”. Jon Burrows MLA (UUP, North Antrim): “The outgoing North Antrim UUP MLA and the new MLA are on the best of terms and ensuring constituency services carry on as seamlessly as possible. Great to meet Colin Crawford in person in Ballymena today. Colin’s a dedicated & valued community servant. @uuponline” SDLP: “Speaking today at @FeileBelfast in St Mary’s University, SDLP MP for Foyle and Chair of the @NewIrelandComm Colum Eastwood reflected on how the constitutional conversation is shifting, not just here, but in London too. @columeastwood” [see video] TUV: “Northern Ireland needs to sort its waiting lists before we can help with the problems of Gaza & the world #TUV #AllisterKyle” [see video] Other Stories26% of NI doctors at high risk of burnout
The General Medical Council’s ‘Workplace Experiences’ report, published on Thursday (7 August), finds that 26% of doctors in Northern Ireland are at high risk of burnout, compared to the UK average of 18%. The report also finds that 54% of doctors in the region find it difficult to provide patient care at least once a week, compared with a 40% UK average. On working hours, 73% of doctors in NI report working beyond their rostered hours at least once a week, compared with a 62% UK average. When asked about “main barriers” to providing patient care, doctors in NI were more likely to report delays in providing care, treatment, investigations, or screenings (69% compared with 57% UK average). Responding to the findings, Dr Alan Stout, Chair of BMA’s NI Council said the report was “another reminder” that doctors in Northern Ireland are “subjected to workloads and workplace conditions that would be deemed unacceptable elsewhere in the UK”. And he called on the Health Minister to “take note” of the particular pressure on GPs in the region who are currently in a period of collective action and are central to the Minister’s plans to shift care into the community. City and Growth deal “catalyst for economic development”, says Finance Minister
On Thursday (7 August), Finance Minister John O’Dowd MLA and Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA highlighted the benefits of City and Growth deals during a visit to the Centre for Food & Drug Discovery at Ulster University Coleraine the Foodovation and Skills Centre at the North West Regional College Limavady. Speaking after their visit, Mr O’Dowd said: “I welcome the opportunity to see first-hand the positive impact the Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal is having driving innovation and equipping the region with the skills it needs to thrive”. Dr Archibald added: “the projects show the ambition of everyone involved and the power of collaboration across industry, academia and the public sector”. Agriculture Minister welcomes NI pork exports to Mexico
On Monday (4 August), the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir MLA confirmed Northern Ireland was given the “green light” to export pork to Mexico. The new UK export deal will provide a £19 m boost to UK food industry and in Northern Ireland, two slaughterhouses and one cold store have received the approval for the exports. The agreement is in place until June 2027. Welcoming the deal, Minister Muir said: “the news that Mexico has granted approval for the UK to export pork to its markets which follows joint efforts by Defra and DAERA. Partnership working between industry, government, key stakeholders and the Mexican food authorities has been instrumental in getting this agreement across the line”. Advice NI warn about normalisation of gambling on social media
On Sunday (3 August), Sinead Campbell, Head of Money, Debt and Quality at Advice NI, spoke with Belfast Live about the risks of gambling. According to recent data, while overall gambling participation has fallen over the last eight years, the risks associated have not, with 3% of adults identified as potential problem gamblers. And gambling is an increasingly common factor in the financial difficulties of those contacting Advice NI. Ms Campbell says the normalisation of gambling through social media is part of the problem: “Now, people can gamble through the same platforms they use to chat with friends or scroll through family photos. It blurs the line between entertainment and betting, and many people don’t even realise they’re gambling.” She warns that low-stakes games, like prize draws, can add up quickly, adding that there is “huge amount of shame and secrecy tied to problem gambling-related debt”. While Advice NI offers free, impartial and confidential support for anyone affected by debt, including gambling-related debt, only 1% of people in NI experiencing harm due to their own gambling or someone else’s are currently seeking support. Quarterly Economic Survey finds most NI businesses trading well in Q2
On Thursday (7 August), the NI Chamber of Commerce and BDO NI Quarterly Economic Survey was published. The survey found that during the second quarter of 2025, 79% of business were trading either well (35%) or reasonably well (44%), while 15% of businesses reported that they were “just covering costs” and 6% were “struggling or on the verge of closure”. Also, during this period, 52% of respondents reported a “slowdown” in demand and that this slowdown was significant for 9% of those surveyed. One in five surveyed said it was “too soon” to register impact from the EU-UK reset, but that 41% said they expected it to have a positive impact on the Northern Ireland economy. On the impact of US tariffs, 21% of respondents said that the tariffs would negatively impact their business and that 34% of respondents with US trade links expected negative effects. New AI Collaboration Centre publishes report on AI and the Northern Ireland economy
The Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), an initiative led by Ulster University in partnership with Queen’s University and supported by Invest NI and Department for the Economy, has published its Artificial Intelligence Capability Census, the “first comprehensive baseline of the Northern Ireland AI ecosystem”. It showed that 198 firms are engaged in AI development and deployment, 1340 AI-related jobs were identified across sectors, and that the average AI salary in Northern Ireland is £55,200. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said the report “shows both the strength of our AI sector and the potential ahead”. She added: “with targeted investment in skills, innovation, and the widespread adoption of AI, we can ensure that our people and businesses are positioned to capitalise on the opportunities”. Across the BorderUS pharma firms will be ‘damaged’ by tariffs, Taoiseach warns
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD has said that US pharmaceutical companies based in Ireland will be “damaged and undermined” if US President Donald Trump follows through on his promise to increase tariffs on EU pharma products to 250%. According to RTÉ News, Mr Trump said the 15% baseline agreed in the EU-US tariff deal last month would only apply to the pharmaceutical sector for “one year, one-and-a-half years maximum”. He also specifically referenced companies manufacturing products in China and Ireland. In response, Mr Martin said the President should factor in the damage this would do to US companies in Europe, saying Ireland has “added value and strength to those companies”, by allowing them to gain a presence in the European market. US Congress group asks that Ireland be added to list of countries boycotting Israel
A group of 16 members of the US House of Representatives has written to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent requesting he consider adding Ireland to a list of countries boycotting Israel, if the proposed Occupied Territories Bill is passed, the Irish Times reports. The letter describes the Bill, which would ban the import of goods from occupied Palestinian territories in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as an effort “to economically isolate Israel”. It states: “The United States will not stay silent while our allies are targeted by hostile political agendas.” A source told the Irish Times that suggestions that Ireland’s position has been misrepresented are not true, saying “Ireland’s position is very well understood – people just strongly disagree with it”. Taoiseach Micheál Martin previously confirmed the Bill is likely to go before the Dáil and Seanad in early autumn. Irish Independent/Ireland Thinks poll shows three largest parties tied
A new opinion poll from Irish Independent/Ireland Thinks puts Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin tied on 20%. Support for Independents and Other parties (those without representation in the Dáil) increased by 3 points since last month to 14%. Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD remains the most popular party leader, on 45%. As for the upcoming presidential election, Fine Gael’s Mairead McGuinness is the frontrunner on 28%, followed by Independent Catherine Connelly on 21%. Among Sinn Féin voters, 17% believed Mary Lou McDonald TD should be the party’s candidate, followed by First Minister Michelle O’Neill on 12%, former party leader Gerry Adams on 9%, and Belfast North MP John Finucane on 7%. There was no strong favourite among Fianna Fáil voters for who their candidate should be, with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern leading the group on just 12%. Neither Sinn Féin nor Fianna Fáil have confirmed whether they will nominate their own candidate for the contest. What We’re ReadingSinn Féin, DUP and UUP have united to block plan to fix Lough Neagh – Tommy Greene
In Wednesday’s Irish Times, Tommy Greene writes about the Executive’s “continued neglect” of Lough Neagh. At the MacGill Summer School in Donegal last month, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald MLA said “what we have seen is a real collective approach from the Executive” on the clean-up of the Lough. Greene writes that this comment “drives to the heart of the gap” between the Executive’s rhetoric and its delivery. He says that despite hopes that “this historic Sinn Féin-led Executive might do things differently”, the Executive is “just as inert and divided” as ever. Its failure to take meaningful action on Lough Neagh, despite its status as a “central pillar” of the Executive’s Programme for Government, is illustrative of this. Greene writes that even while “pledging to protect and even “save” Lough Neagh”, Sinn Féin, the DUP and the UUP voted against the Nutrients Action Plan (NAP) put forward by Alliance Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Andrew Muir MLA, which aims to tackle phosphorous and nitrogen inputs into the Lough, with the debate over the policy reduced to “symbolic standoffs”. Greene also says the “lack of joined-up thinking” extends beyond Stormont. He writes that a “governance vacuum” left behind by previous devolved governments “has long allowed all manner of opportunistic actors to grab resources and run”. Greene argues that Lough Neagh must fundamentally be treated as a public asset. Instead, conversations about the Lough’s future are increasingly being driven, he says, by three of NI’s largest landowners: the Department of Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs, the National Trust and the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury. Greene concludes there are “still avenues and means through which to reimagine Lough Neagh”, but it will require “a fundamental change of mentality”. Forward LookMonday 1 September 2025
NI Assembly returns from summer recess
UK Parliament returns from summer recess
Monday 8 September 2025
First sitting of NI Assembly
Question Time: The Executive Office; Education
Tuesday 9 September 2025
Question Time: Finance
Wednesday 17 September 2025
Houses of the Oireachtas return from summer recess
Festival of Business 2025, St George’s Market, Belfast – read more here.
Friday 19 September 2025
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation Annual Conference, Ballymascanlon Hotel, Dundalk – read more here.
Saturday 20 September 2025
DUP Conference, La Mon Hotel, Belfast
Saturday 20 – Tuesday 23 September 2025
Liberal Democrats Party Conference, La Mon Hotel, Belfast
Saturday 20 – Friday 26 September 2025
Belfast Tech Week – read more here.
Wednesday 24 September 2025
Belfast Business Show, Clayton Hotel – read more here.
Northern Ireland Energy Summit, ICC Belfast – read more here.
Thursday 25 September 2025
Entrepreneurs Unleashed Conference, Cathy Short Theatre, Jennymount Business Park, Belfast – read more here.
Northern Ireland Green Skills Conference, Europa Hotel, Belfast – read more here.
Sunday 28 September – Wednesday 1 October 2025
Labour Party Conference, Heathrow Lounge, ACC Liverpool Sunday 28 September 2025
The Northern Ireland Reception at the Labour Party Conference, Heathrow Lounge, ACC Liverpool – read more here. Wednesday 1 October 2025
InterTradeIreland Trade Conference 2025, Aviva Stadium, Dublin – read more here. Friday 3 October- Saturday 4 October 2025
SDLP Conference, Crowne Plaza Belfast Sunday 5 October – Wednesday 8 October 2025
Conservative Party Conference, Manchester Central Convention Centre Thursday 9 October – Friday 10 October 2025
NIFHA Annual Conference, City Hotel, Derry~Londonderry – read more here. Saturday 11 October 2025
UUP Conference, Crowne Plaza, Belfast Saturday 25 October – Sunday 2 November 2025
NI Assembly Halloween recess Friday 12 December 2025
NI Assembly Christmas recess begins Friday 24 – Saturday 25 April 2026
Sinn Féin Ard Fheis, Waterfront Hall, Belfast |
