Weekly Bulletin 26/07/25

Justice Minister launches consultation on criminalisation of deepfakes
On Monday (21 July), Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA launched a public consultation on proposals to criminalise the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images of adults. According to BBC News, a deepfake is an image or video that has been digitally altered using AI to replace the face of one person with the face of another.. Minister Long said the sharing of deepfakes can have “devastating consequences” for victims, “the overwhelming majority of whom are women”. She also said she wanted to “trigger a conversation in society” about the “underlying attitudes” and harms the creation and sharing of images can cause. Cara Hunter MLA (SDLP), who was targeted in a deepfake video in the run up to the 2022 Assembly election, welcomed the move, saying legislation should be “victim-centred” and that “perpetrators need to pay a very strong price”. Diane Forsythe MLA (DUP), who was also targeted with misogynistic material before the last election, welcomed the announcement too, saying “the law has lagged behind technological advances” for too long.
What Next: The public consultation is open until 6 October. Any new offences arising from this consultation will be included by amendment to the Justice Bill, which is currently at Committee Stage in the Assembly. 

Unionist MPs warn of the effects of the Windsor Framework
On Tuesday (22 July), the DUP’s Sammy Wilson MP lead a Westminster Hall debate on the UK internal market. Citing a report by the Federation of Small Businesses, Mr Wilson highlighted concerns about the fact that 34% of small businesses based in GB that previously traded with NI have now stopped. He said businesses are “abandoning Northern Ireland” because of “ludicrous” regulations. He also accused the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP, of displaying “complacency” and “disdain” towards the effects of the Windsor Framework. Former UUP leader Robin Swann MP noted that “major retailers” were pushing back against the arrangement, after Marks & Spencer Chief Executive Stuart Machin said it introduced “bureaucratic madness” and was “confusing for customers”. Responding to the debate, the Junior Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, Justin Madders MP, said the UK Government is “wholly committed” to the Framework but recognised that it “does not operate perfectly for everyone”.
What Next: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has received the final report of the Murphy Review of the Windsor Framework, but has not yet published the report. 

Northern Ireland Office says trade deal with India to add £50 million to region’s economy
On Thursday (24 July), Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP and his counterpart Narendra Modi signed a “landmark trade deal”, which will reportedly result in average tariffs on UK goods being cut from 15% to 3%. According to analysis published by the Northern Ireland Office, the agreement is set to deliver “a £50m boost to the local economy”. 143 NI-based businesses exported £65 million in goods to India last year. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn MP said the deal will benefit the region’s advanced manufacturing and engineering, and medical technology sectors, where tariffs will be “eliminated or significantly reduced”. Duties on whiskey will immediately fall from 150% to 75%, dropping further to 40% over ten years. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds MP said the deal will be the “millions brought to Northern Ireland” by the deal will be “keenly felt across local communities”.
What Next: The deal must be ratified by both the UK and Indian parliaments, a process which will take several months. 

Department for the Economy “Economy Minister Dr @CArchibald_SF has met @DeptCEE Minister for Fisheries and the Marine Environment @timmydooley TD to discuss the opportunities and mutual benefits that offshore renewable energy can generate across Ireland. Their discussion highlighted the strategic importance of continued cross-border collaboration in unlocking the full potential of our offshore resources to support energy security, create economic growth, strengthen communities, and build a sustainable future for all.”

Jonathan Buckley MLA (DUP, Upper Bann): [Responding to news that PSNI officers will assist Police Scotland during Donald Trump’s visit] “I genuinely don’t see the issue here. As part of the United Kingdom, we regularly request assistance from police forces across the country for events and public order. Supporting Police Scotland is a sensible act of good faith and reflects mutual aid commitments.”

Department of Justice “WATCH: Justice Minister @naomi_long has visited the headquarters of @Nexus_NI to see firsthand the benefits of a pilot programme which was jointly funded by the Department of Justice and @healthdpt”

UUP Leader Robin Swann MP: “Despite Lord Murphy’s review of the Windsor Framework having been presented to the Government – we don’t know what it recommends, or when the Government will tell us. The extra costs and bureaucracy of the Windsor Framework are pushing some local businesses to the very edge.”

Justin McNulty MLA (SDLP, Newry and Armagh): “Attending the thought provoking @HumeFoundation Séamus Mallon Lecture with keynote speaker Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD focused on creating a “Shared Homeplace” on this island we all belong to.”

TUV: “TUV chairman & Agriculture spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle urges public to respond to NAP consultation You can respond here or email [email protected]”

Communities Minister launches Historic Environment Fund
On Wednesday (23 July), Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launched the Northern Ireland Historic Environment Fund (HEF). The grant programme aims to support the repair, research and regeneration of NI’s heritage assets. Minister Lyons has allocated £810,000 to the fund, with £500,000 already earmarked for capital repairs to 86 listed buildings. It comes after a recent report by the Department for Communities found that a third of Northern Ireland’s listed buildings are lying vacant and 36% are in poor or very poor condition.

Queen’s University awarded £4.35 Million to attract top researchers
Queen’s University Belfast is one of 12 universities to be awarded funding under the UK Government’s new £54m Global Talent Fund, Business Eye reports. QUB will use its £4.35m share to recruit international researchers in sectors central to Northern Ireland’s innovation-led economy, including advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and life sciences, the university said. Grants cover 100% of eligible costs, including relocation, research expenses, and visa costs for researchers and their dependants, helping to remove key financial and administrative barriers to global recruitment. Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor at Queen’s, said: “By attracting exceptional talent from outside the UK, we are enhancing our strong research base and helping to drive innovation within the local economy.”

Investigation into replacement of Department of Education permanent secretary
An investigation is taking place into the circumstances in which the Department of Education’s then permanent secretary, Mark Browne, was replaced in November 2024. According to BBC News NI, the investigation which is being undertaken by a senior legal figure from Scotland and was commissioned by the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady. Education Minister Paul Givan had, at the time, informed the chair of the Assembly’s Education Committee, Alliance’s Nick Mathison MLA, that a temporary permanent secretary was to be put in place. The Committee subsequently wrote to the Minister in January was asking why a vacancy had arisen. However, according to Mr Mathison, despite enquiries to both the Minister and Head of the Civil Service, the Committee, “remain[s] in the dark as to why the previous Permanent Secretary is no longer in post or when the position will be filled permanently”.

Labour Market Statistics show slight drop in earnings and employment
On Thursday (17 July), the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency published the monthly labour market statistics. Headline findings showed that payrolled employees and median earnings decreased over the month of June 2025. Earnings data from HMRC PAYE indicated that NI employees had a median monthly pay of £2,344 in June 2025, a decrease of £28 (1.2%) over the last month and an increase of £26 (1.1%) over last year. The latest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period March-May 2025 was 2.1%, which represents an increase of 0.6 percentage points (pps) over the quarter and an increase of 0.3pps over the year. The figures however show that the economic inactivity rate fell over the quarter to 26.3%, with the most common reason contributing to economic inactivity being long-term sickness (39.3%).

Economic benefit of The Open will exceed £213 million forecast
Tourism NI has announced that the combined economic and media exposure benefit from The 153rd Open in Portrush will exceed their original £213 million forecast, according to the Irish News. It estimates that images from Royal Portrush reached 100 million viewers in over 190 countries. According to Tourism NI CEO John McGrillen, the exposure created during this incredible week of golf is invaluable for the entire region”. The tournament organisers the R&A have called the event a “resounding success” and their chief executive Mark Darbon said it showcased NI as “a world-class destination for major championship golf”.

MP welcomes progress on new Belfast airport rail link
The UUP’s Robin Swann MP (South Antrim) welcomed progress on the reopening of the Knockmore trainline with a proposed link to Belfast International Airport. According to Belfast Live, the Department of Infrastructure confirmed to Mr Swann that they have received a feasibility study into proposals to reopen the line, with the Minister expected to issue a response in the autumn. A spokesperson for the Department said the study considered “engineering requirements, demand forecasting and cost estimates”, as well as appraising the reopening of stations at Ballinderry, Glenavy and Crumlin and locations for a new station at the airport. Mr Swann said connecting the rail network to Belfast International “will be invaluable for commuters, tourism and increased usage of public transport”.

Government publishes updated National Development Plan
On Tuesday (22 July), the Irish Government published its revised National Development Plan (NDP), which sets out capital funding for infrastructure projects from 2026 to 2030. The plan includes an overall investment €112bn, around €30bn of which is new funding, RTÉ News reports. The NDP focuses heavily on housing, with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to receive €36bn, with €7.7bn earmarked for investment in water infrastructure. Speaking at a press conference, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said housing was the ”defining social challenge of our time” and is the Government’s “most critical priority”. The next largest allocation was to the Department of Transport, which received €22.3bn, €2bn of which is ringfenced for the construction of the long-promised Metrolink railway line connecting Dublin Airport with the city centre. As part of the revised NDP, the Shared Island Fund was allocated €0.99bn. Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy called on the Taoiseach to allocate some of the money to establish a citizen’s assembly on Irish unity, “to begin in earnest the detailed and painstaking planning that needs to happen” to realise it.

Government outlines room for additional public spending and tax cuts in Summer Economic Statement
On Tuesday (22 July), the Irish Government published its Summer Economic Statement (SES), which says that Budget 2026 will deliver an overall package of €7.9bn in additional public spending and tax measures of €1.5bn. However, the SES warns that the Government will reduce is spending “if there is a deterioration in the tariff landscape”. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe told RTÉ News that the Government is “fully committed” to making capital investments. This is, he said, “the best response back to the economic uncertainty that we are in”. Following the publication of the SES, the Irish Times reported that the Government is expected to delay a VAT cut for the hospitality industry until the middle of 2026. The reduction of the VAT rate from 14% to 9% for hospitality businesses is estimated to cost around €1bn over a full year, which would take up two-thirds of space for tax cuts. 

Micheál Martin rules himself out of Presidential bid
On Wednesday (23 July), Micheál Martin confirmed he will not enter the Presidential race. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, An Taoiseach said he had “an obligation to the public” having contested the last election on the basis of leading Fianna Fáil into Government. Asked about other candidates rumoured to be in contention for his party’s nomination,  Martin said his party will decide whether to stand a candidate in the coming weeks and that he is “taking soundings” from members of the parliamentary party. The Irish Examiner reports former Education Minister Mary Hanafin has written to Fianna Fáil TDs and senators seeking their backing. Last week, she told the McGill Summer School it would be an “insult” if Fianna Fáil did not run a candidate in the election. However, the Examiner understands there is little support in the party for Ms Hanafin, with one party member saying she “did not have a hope” of securing the nomination. Other names mentioned include former Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cúiv, former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan, Republic of Ireland ‘Italia 90’ goalkeeper Packie Bonner, and Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan

Why do so many public services shut down for the summer? – Newton Emerson
In Thursday’s Irish News, Newton Emerson writes that there is an “annual debate” on shortening school summer holidays, but little examination of why many other public services shut down over the summer, “for similarly outdated reasons”. These include the universities, which take a three-month summer break. In Britain, “debate is well advanced on moving to two-year degrees with short holidays”. Under legislation passed in 2019, universities in England can charge 20% higher annual tuition fees for so-called “compressed degrees”. Despite lack of discussion on two-year degree course in Northern Ireland, the the Executive has even more reason to consider this option, as it subsidises tuition fees and caps undergraduate places to control costs. Two-year degrees would, according to Emerson, “cut the subsidy by a third and increase places by a half, without having to touch fees”. And he says further education colleges should teach more classes year-round, given “Northern Ireland’s desperate need for more vocational training”. The Courts Service is another example of a public service that follows the academic calendar”. Summer sittings of the courts , he argues, would help to reduce delay in the criminal justice system. , But “things are going backwards”, with the Courts Service “experimenting with an extra week off in February” next year. The “ultimate public sector holiday”, Emerson concludes, “is at Stormont, which takes eight weeks off over the summer, plus six weeks throughout the rest of the year”. . He If MLAs were to spend to more “time at the office”, “Stormont might change its view on effective use of time elsewhere”

Monday 1 September
UK Parliament returns from summer recess
NI Assembly returns from summer recess

Friday 5 September
NI Chamber Festival of Business – St. George’s Market, Belfast – Read more here.

Wednesday 17 September
Houses of the Oireachtas return from summer recess

Friday 19 September
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation Annual Conference – Ballymascanlon Hotel, Dundalk – Read more here.

Friday 19 – Saturday 20 September
DUP Party Conference – Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

Saturday 20 – Tuesday 23 September
Liberal Democrats Party Conference – Bournemouth International Centre

Wednesday 24 September 
NI Energy Summit, ICC Belfast – Read more here.

Sunday 28 September – Wednesday 1 October
Labour Party Conference – ACC Liverpool

Friday 3 October – Saturday 4 October
SDLP Conference – Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

Friday 3 – Sunday 5 October
Green Party of England and Wales Conference – Bournemouth International Centre

Sunday 5 October – Wednesday 8 October
Conservative Party Conference – Manchester Central Convention Complex

Saturday 11 October
UUP Party Conference – Crowne Plaza Hotel