Weekly Bulletin. What you need to know this week

NI politicians react to UK-EU trade deal
On Monday (19 May), Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new UK-EU agreement affecting food, fishing and security during a summit in London. In an article in Friday’s (23 May) Belfast Telegraph, NI Secretary Hilary Benn MP said it was a “particularly good deal for Northern Ireland”. He said new agreements reached by the UK and EU on agri-food products and plants, which will “eliminate paperwork” and “protect the UK internal market”. He also noted that the new security and defence partnership will benefit the aerospace, defence and space industries which employ 9,000 people in NI. According to BBC News NI, First Minister Michelle O’Neill welcomed “anything that removes barriers for trade”, but warned that the “devil will be in the detail”. DUP leader Gavin Robinson similarly said it was “too early” to judge the deal and expressed concerns about the impact on the local fishing industry. Alliance and SDLP leaders Naomi Long and Claire Hanna both welcomed the deal as a step in the right direction, with Hanna praising the agreement to work towards a youth mobility scheme. Alliance Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir described the SPS agreement as a “good deal” which brings “practical solutions”. Ulster Farmers’ Union president William Irvine agreed, describing the deal as a “significant breakthrough”. TUV leader Jim Allister criticised the deal, saying it “copper-fastens NI as EU territory”.
What Next: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it is “time to look forward” and find “common sense, practical solutions” with the EU.

Minister Nesbitt signs off on pay awards for health workers despite insufficient budget
On Thursday (22 May), Health Minister Mike Nesbitt signed off on pay awards for health workers recommended by the Pay Review Body (PRB), despite stating that the money still needs to be found by the Executive. Nurses and Agenda for Change staff are to be offered a 3.6% pay rise, as well as a 4% offer for doctors and dentists and 3.25% for senior managers. BBC News NI estimates the total cost will be around £200m. The Newsletter writes that Mr Nesbitt told reporters: “I think inevitably the permanent secretary will have to say to me, ‘you cannot afford to do this, so you will have to give me a ministerial direction’.” This means that the decision will be passed to the Finance Minister and may be put to the Executive. Meanwhile, Dr Alan Stout, Chair of BMA NI Council welcomed the Minister’s intention to pay the 4% award in full, but noted that it “does not sufficiently address the years of pay erosion
What Next: Minister Nesbitt said that health workers having to wait until the twelfth month of the last financial year to find out whether they would receive their pay parity recommendation was “unacceptable” and that he was determined to avoid that situation this year.

Budget 2025-26 passed through and SDLP alternative
On Monday (19 May), the Assembly approved Budget 2025-26. Finance Minister John O’Dowd said the Budget delivers “record levels of funding for our public services”, but warned that “the financial outlook remains incredibly challenging”. The Departments of Health (£8.5b), Education (£3.3b), and Justice (£1.4n) were allocated 80% of the available resource funding. Minister O’Dowd highlighted the £115m spend on efforts to cut health waiting lists and the £50m investment in early years and childcare announced recently by the Health and Education Ministers. In terms of capital investment, over £330m will be spent on Executive “flagship projects”, including £102·8 million for Strule Shared Education Campus and £100m to deliver social housing. The SDLP revealed an alternative Budget which Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole said put forward the party’s “own ideas for taking more responsibility and more power here”. Their proposals include: committing 10% of Departmental spending to Programme for Government priorities, implementing the recommendations of the Fiscal Commission by devolving more taxes, including income tax, the apprenticeship levy, and corporation tax, establishing an infrastructure commission and a Northern Ireland Regional Investment Bank, and legislating for a Future Generations Act to embed long-term thinking in government spending.
What Next: Finance Minister John O’Dowd said he hopes that this will be the last single-year Budget, and that he intends to bring forward recommendations for a three-year resource Budget and a four-year capital Budget.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins “Delighted to announce increased and full funding for our community transport services. These services are a lifeline for many, connecting people to healthcare, work and community. This investment will ensure better access to transport services in communities across the North”.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelley: “A lovely evening at the US Deputy Head of Mission’s residence in London with representatives from our incredible business, trade, hospitality, manufacturing and retail sectors to finish off a great day of NI business focused activity at Westminster and in London. Thank you to Matt Palmer, and well done to the whole team who worked hard in making this day an incredible success”.

Alliance Party: “Animal welfare organisations have backed Alliance Minister @AndrewMuirNI’s new strategy. His ambitious 10-point plan published today aims to improve animal welfare through a series of powerful reforms”.

Ulster Unionists in Westminster: “In Westminster today [Wednesday 21 May], @RobinSwann_MP and @TB_Elliott welcomed Wrightbus as they showcased their hydrogen-powered bus. The Ulster Unionist reps offered their support as Wrightbus move towards zero-emissions electric and hydrogen vehicles”.

SDLP: “The SDLP wants to build an Ireland that is welcoming to all who choose to call this place home. The DUP, however, is plumbing new depths by pushing divisive politics reminiscent of Enoch Powell. We were proud to stand today against the DUP’s right-wing, populist nonsense”.

Jim Allister (TUV, North Antrim): “The UK can sell steel to the US tariff free but has to pay EU tariffs within its own country. When will the Prime Minister stand up for the United Kingdom? #JimAllister #TUV #PMQS #Brexit”

Communities Minister calls for “full reinstatement” of Winter Fuel Payment
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement in the House of Commons on Wednesday (21 May) in which the Prime Minister confirmed that the Government “will look at the threshold” for winter fuel payments, but changes will only occur alongside a “fiscal event”. Minister Lyons added that “any such move would not go far enough” and called for the “full reinstatement” of the winter fuel payment to “all pensioners”. The Department for Communities press release recalled Minister Lyon’s decision earlier this year to provide “£100 fuel support payment to Northern Ireland pensioners affected by the Labour government changes to eligibility”. Additionally, Minister Lyons also called for a “reconsideration” of the UK Government’s “proposals to reduce the welfare bill”.

Clinton backs People’s Postcode Lottery law change
During a People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL) reception at Stormont on Tuesday (20 May), a video was played which showed Hilary Clinton’s support for changes in the law around charity lotteries in Northern Ireland. Ms Clinton said the law changes could bring in “vital new funding into Northern Ireland’s civil society”. BBC NI noted that the reception follows Sian Mulholland’s (Alliance, North Antrim) consultation on her Private Members Lotteries for Communities Bill. The Private Members Bill aims to expand charity lottery fundraising powers in NI. Meanwhile, the operator of the National Lottery in Northern Ireland, Allwyn UK, has warned against “industrial-scale society lotteries” and Tim Cairns, from the Christian charity CARE for NI, has advocated for “proper regulation” of existing gambling products prior to the introduction of additional gambling products. BBC NI highlighted that Ms Mulholland’s Bill acknowledges potential “concerns about the potential risks associated with gambling, and its impact on individuals and communities”. Malcolm Flemming, director of public affairs at PPL, said the was “huge untapped potential” for the fundraising to raise millions for charities annually in Northern Ireland.

Further Education lecturers agree pay deal
On Monday (19 May), BBC News NI reported that unions representing Further Education (FE) lecturers have accepted a pay offer from the Department for the Economy. FE lecturers will receive a 5.5% pay increase for 2024/25 and a 3% increase for 2025/26. Earlier this month, the University College Union (UCU) had said the offer “fell short” of pay parity with teachers. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the news and commended colleges and unions for “their constructive engagement to bring about this multi-year pay deal”. Minster Archibald said the deal brings an end to industrial action

NI Labour Force Survey on Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training published
On Thursday (22 May), the Department for the Economy published the Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey on Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). The figures are obtained from the Labour Force Survey, which is a survey of households. The publication showed that in January to March 2025, there were an estimated 19,000 young people aged 16 to 24 years in Northern Ireland who were not in education, employment or training. This represents 9.4% of all those aged 16 to 24 years in Northern Ireland and shows a decrease of 1.7% from the previous quarter. Of this group, the NEET rate for males was 9.2% and 9.6% among females. These figures are published throughout the year and the next publication of NEET will be in August 2025

Michelle O’Neill and Arlene Foster appear before Covid Inquiry
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and former First Minister Baroness Arlene Foster appeared before the Covid inquiry on Wednesday (21 May), as did former UUP Health Minister Robin Swann and former Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride. The hearing focused on Stormont’s approach to testing, tracing, and isolation during the pandemic, according to BBC News. Previous hearings in Belfast revealed that Mr McBride was unhappy with how the Executive behaved during the pandemic, which he described as “politics at its worst”. Baroness Foster, who was First Minister at the time, has previously rejected claims that the Executive “sleepwalked” in their response to the virus. Last year, Ms O’Neill also apologised at the inquiry for breaking Covid guidelines in June 2020 by attending the funeral of Bobby Storey. During the hearing, former First Minister Arlene Foster said that Michelle O’Neill’s attendance at the funeral of Bobby Storey during the pandemic contributed towards a “break down” in compliance with lockdown rules. Ms O’Neill said there was “no evidence to suggest that was the case” and that Baroness Foster’s remarks were “politically motivated”. Hearings for the inquiry are due to end February 2026.

City of Derry to Dublin Airport flights could ‘resume by end of 2026’
Flights between Derry~Londonderry and Dublin could resume by the end of 2026, ending a 14-year pause. Irish Government Minister and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue told BBC News NI that discussions to reinstate the service are ongoing, with the route expected to be funded under a public service obligation (PSO), receiving government support. Mr McConalogue added that the loss of the service in 2011 was a “real disadvantage to Derry, Donegal, and the north west region”. Restoring the route is also a commitment in the Irish Government’s programme for government. In June, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien will meet with management at the airport to further progress the plans.

Disability campaigner tells Taoiseach to “stop breaking the law” on assessments of needs
14-year old disability rights campaigner Cara Darmody met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Wednesday morning (21 May) has called on the government to stop breaking the law on delivering assessments of needs to schoolchildren within 6 months. The Journal reports that over 15,000 children are currently waiting for an assessment and that the waiting list could rise to over 25,000 by the end of the year. Just 7% of children are receiving their assessment within the statutory six-month timeline. Ms Darmody held a 50-hour vigil outside Leinster House this week to raise awareness of the issue. Opposition parties also tabled a joint motion calling on the Government to comply with its legal obligations and make funding available to “Cara’s Fund” to clear the backlog. Taoiseach Micheál Martin suggested that legislation may need to be changed to allow therapists to provide services to children more quickly.

Government publishes legislation to remove Triple Lock
The Government has published a proposed amendment to the Defensive Act that will remove the so-called “Triple Lock” on the deployment of members of the Defence Forces overseas. The Triple Lock requires that deployments are approved by the Government, the Dáil, and by the United Nations. The Defence and National Security Committee began its pre-legislative scrutiny of the Amendment on Thursday (22 May). However, Sinn Féin committee chair Rose Conway-Walsh has written to the Minister for Defence Simon Harris to express concerns that the eight-week timeline for committee consideration is too short.

Simon Harris to bring revised draft of Occupied Territories Bill to cabinet next week
Tánaiste Simon Harris has said he will bring a memo with details of the revised version of the Occupied Territories Bill to Cabinet next week, the Journal reports. He said “substantive amendments” were required to bring the Bill in line with the Constitution and “to try to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures.” The Bill proposes a ban on trade with illegally occupied territories, including illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. On Thursday (22 May), Senator Francis Black, who drafted the original Bill, met with Simon Harris. In a statement on X/Twitter, she said: “finally, after seven years, I think we will see action”. It had been expected that the revised Bill will only cover goods, not services, but Senator Black said the Tánaiste indicated “he has no issue with including services, if we can get the legal detail right”. It comes as Taoiseach Micheál Martin strongly welcomed the EU’s plans to review its trade agreement with Israel, adding he believes “the agreement should now be suspended, pending the review.

EU-UK deal is a gift to unionists. Shame they can’t all see it – Newton Emerson
In Thursday’s (22 May) Irish Times, Newton Emerson writes that the new UK-EU trade deal “lowers the Irish Sea border much further than many observers had expected”, adding that “farmers, food producers and retailers have all expressed their delight”. He does note that the “full set” Windsor Framework requirements remain for manufactured goods. He also highlights the ongoing dispute resolution process initiated by the UK Government after EU proposed adding its new AI restrictions to the Windsor Framework as a potential difficulty. He says the outcome of the dispute “will indicate the extent to which the reset requires a British rollover on Northern Ireland”. Nonetheless, Emerson says the “direction of travel” towards closer alignment with the EU is a “true gift to unionism” and, “in the zero-sum game of Northern Ireland politics”, a setback for nationalism. He states that many northern nationalists had thought that “Brexit and the sea border will drive a terminal wedge into the union”, but the Brexit process “has now gone in reverse”. However, Emerson says that “unionism seems determined to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory”. He states that prominent figures in the TUV and DUP have complained both about the shortcomings of the deal and the goal of closer alignment, effectively saying “This does not fix everything, and when it fixes more things that will only make it worse.” Emerson notes that, according to recent research, unionist support for the Windsor Framework is declining. He writes that while moderate unionists support a closer relationship with the EU, three-quarters of “strong unionists” oppose it. He says the Brexiteer unionist constituency have lost faith in the DUP to deliver, and that the DUP should instead embrace the direction of travel to “begin putting failure behind” He warns that if they don’t, conservative commentators may begin to shift to “portraying Britain as a victim of Northern Ireland”. He concludes by criticising unionists for “obsessing over detail while ignoring the big picture”.

Tuesday 27 May
First Minister and deputy First Minister to answer questions in the Assembly. Private Members’ Business: Access to Dental Care (Alliance); Additional Funding for North South Bodies (Sinn Féin) – View the full Order Paper here.
The Assembly Committee for Education will meet – View committee agendas here.

Wednesday 21 May
The Assembly Committees for Economy, Finance, Education, and The Executive Office will meet. The Infrastructure Committee will visit the Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office – View committee agendas here.

Thursday 22 May
The Assembly Committees for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Communities, Health, and Justice will meet -View committee agendas here.

Thursday 29 May
Green Skills Action Plan Launch, Custom House, Belfast – Read more here.