Stormont: Reflecting on two years

By Lea Carson

We often say a year is a long time in politics, but what about two?  

3 February marked two years since the return of the Stormont institutions. With attention now turning to the progress made by the Executive, Programme for Government commitments and the pace of delivery within the Assembly, it’s a good time to look back on some key developments of the mandate to date.  

Looking back is also a common theme for many of our Stormont departments, with the Department for the Economy publishing its ‘Year Two Progress Report’ on Delivering the Economic Vision this month.  

Framed against the four pillars of her economic vision, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald lists the publication of the Skills Action plan, the Green Skills Action Plan and the design of the Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG) as evidence of delivery in 2025.  

On the other hand, the Minister continues to face pressure from both business and political stakeholders on the flagship Good Jobs Bill and on delivery of true regional balance, particularly related to the activity of Invest NI. The Good Jobs Bill, which was due to be introduced to the Assembly in January 2026, will progress reforms to employment legislation including the introduction of paid leave for miscarriage in Northern Ireland.  

Similarly, DAERA published the first-year review of the Environmental Improvement Plan in January, with Minister Andrew Muir MLA tracking progress against six Strategic Environmental Outcomes (SEOs). Progress is highlighted with the publication of the Blue Carbon Action Plan, the Plastic Pollution Plan and the current consultation on the Waste Management Strategy.  

However, the Department itself recognises that they have faced challenges in delivering good ecological status for all water bodies by 2027 referencing the need for investment in wastewater infrastructure and that they have paused work on the Litter Strategy due to resource constraints.  

As with most things in life, there’s two sides to every story. What some see as progress, others see as slow-down. Observers are currently wondering are relationships getting a tad too tetchy in the Assembly among Executive Ministers and MLAs alike, as evidenced by recent conversations around confidence in both Ministers Givan and Lyons, or are these examples of the usual rough and tumble of political debate accompanied by healthy dollops of filibuster, oratorical wordsmithery and tergiversation?  

What’s certain is that there are plenty of opportunities to engage. Strategies are being implemented, there are consultations to respond to and clear departmental plans which can be used to hold Departments to account. The Department of Finance even has a consultation out on a three-year budget which, if passed, would be regarded as a major sign of progress. 

Organisations still do have the chance to input into departmental thinking and to continue to contribute to policy development as we approach the latter half of this Assembly Mandate.  

If you want to get in touch to find out more about how your organisation can do this effectively, get in touch with ideas@connectpa.co.uk