This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07kjz7p7y8o
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Archibald to become economy minister in Sinn Féin reshuffle | Archibald to become economy minister in Sinn Féin reshuffle |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Archibald moves from minister for finance to minister for the economy | Archibald moves from minister for finance to minister for the economy |
Caoimhe Archibald has been appointed economy minister in a Sinn Féin Executive reshuffle following Conor Murphy's resignation. | Caoimhe Archibald has been appointed economy minister in a Sinn Féin Executive reshuffle following Conor Murphy's resignation. |
Former infrastructure minister John O'Dowd is to fill Archibald's previous brief of minister of finance, and his previous job will be filled by Liz Kimmins. | Former infrastructure minister John O'Dowd is to fill Archibald's previous brief of minister of finance, and his previous job will be filled by Liz Kimmins. |
Murphy stepped down from Stormont after being elected to the Seanad (Irish parliament's upper chamber). | Murphy stepped down from Stormont after being elected to the Seanad (Irish parliament's upper chamber). |
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said she was very confident in the team and said that Archibald would "lead" on correcting what she called the "underfunding" of Stormont. | Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said she was very confident in the team and said that Archibald would "lead" on correcting what she called the "underfunding" of Stormont. |
Emma Little-Pengelly and Michelle O'Neill have been in government together for a year | Emma Little-Pengelly and Michelle O'Neill have been in government together for a year |
Speaking on the anniversary of the return of the Stormont institutions on Monday, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the Northern Ireland Executive had achieved "significant" progress. | Speaking on the anniversary of the return of the Stormont institutions on Monday, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the Northern Ireland Executive had achieved "significant" progress. |
But they added there is "much more to do" to improve public services. | But they added there is "much more to do" to improve public services. |
O'Neill told BBC News NI the four-party coalition is doing its best and must put its "shoulder to the wheel". | O'Neill told BBC News NI the four-party coalition is doing its best and must put its "shoulder to the wheel". |
Little-Pengelly said big issues like health waiting lists were never going to be eradicated in one 12-month period. | Little-Pengelly said big issues like health waiting lists were never going to be eradicated in one 12-month period. |
"But we've made a really strong start," she added. | "But we've made a really strong start," she added. |
Devolved government was restored at Stormont exactly 12 months ago after a two-year gap due to a stand-off over post-Brexit trade rules. | Devolved government was restored at Stormont exactly 12 months ago after a two-year gap due to a stand-off over post-Brexit trade rules. |
O'Neill said they had made "huge strides forward" including securing nearly £500m in extra funding for public services and settling public sector pay disputes. | O'Neill said they had made "huge strides forward" including securing nearly £500m in extra funding for public services and settling public sector pay disputes. |
"We have prioritised investing in our public sector workers by ensuring their pay awards were made, that was a day one priority and we'll continue to do so." | "We have prioritised investing in our public sector workers by ensuring their pay awards were made, that was a day one priority and we'll continue to do so." |
The first minister added that the situation in health was not acceptable but does not believe the executive had '"left it all" to the health minister. | The first minister added that the situation in health was not acceptable but does not believe the executive had '"left it all" to the health minister. |
"We know this is an area that will require significant investment and that's why it has got over half of the budget" she added. | "We know this is an area that will require significant investment and that's why it has got over half of the budget" she added. |
O'Neill said the challenges in the health system have existed for a long time and described the situation as "trying to turn a tanker". | O'Neill said the challenges in the health system have existed for a long time and described the situation as "trying to turn a tanker". |
Little-Pengelly said the executive needs "a plan" from the Department of Health to tackle the problems. | Little-Pengelly said the executive needs "a plan" from the Department of Health to tackle the problems. |
"It is the case we can't continue to spend as we do, if we are prioritising health, we need that plan from health." | "It is the case we can't continue to spend as we do, if we are prioritising health, we need that plan from health." |
The deputy first minister added that the shortened term of this assembly was always going to be a "challenge". | The deputy first minister added that the shortened term of this assembly was always going to be a "challenge". |
She said prioritisation was essential and that was evident in the draft programme for government which focused on the issues that matter most to people. | She said prioritisation was essential and that was evident in the draft programme for government which focused on the issues that matter most to people. |
O'Neill responds to 'glorifying terrorism' claim | O'Neill responds to 'glorifying terrorism' claim |
Last week Baroness Arlene Foster called for a change in the law to prosecute people in authority who attend paramilitary commemorations | Last week Baroness Arlene Foster called for a change in the law to prosecute people in authority who attend paramilitary commemorations |
O'Neill was asked how she felt about a call from her predecessor, Baroness Arlene Foster, for her to be prosecuted if she attends future IRA commemorations. | O'Neill was asked how she felt about a call from her predecessor, Baroness Arlene Foster, for her to be prosecuted if she attends future IRA commemorations. |
Baroness Foster, a former leader of the DUP, accused O'Neill of "glorifying terrorism" over her attendance at a recent event in Magherafelt. | Baroness Foster, a former leader of the DUP, accused O'Neill of "glorifying terrorism" over her attendance at a recent event in Magherafelt. |
It commemorated three IRA members who died in 1971 when the bomb they were driving exploded prematurely. | It commemorated three IRA members who died in 1971 when the bomb they were driving exploded prematurely. |
Foster told the House of Lords that a change in the law was needed "to deal with those in authority who continue to exalt and deify terrorists". | Foster told the House of Lords that a change in the law was needed "to deal with those in authority who continue to exalt and deify terrorists". |
O'Neill replied: "I don't agree with Arlene Foster's assertion. | O'Neill replied: "I don't agree with Arlene Foster's assertion. |
"I think that it's important that we're all respectful of everybody that's lost [loved ones during the Troubles]. | "I think that it's important that we're all respectful of everybody that's lost [loved ones during the Troubles]. |
"We've a very complicated and difficult past but let's try to be respectful of each other." | "We've a very complicated and difficult past but let's try to be respectful of each other." |
O'Neill also said becoming the first Irish republican to hold the post of first minister "in a state that was designed to ensure that that was never the case" was still highly significant in the public's minds. | O'Neill also said becoming the first Irish republican to hold the post of first minister "in a state that was designed to ensure that that was never the case" was still highly significant in the public's minds. |
She insisted she would continue to keep her promise to be "a first minister for all". | She insisted she would continue to keep her promise to be "a first minister for all". |
A growing friendship? | A growing friendship? |
Michelle O'Neill said they are friends and Emma Little-Pengelly said they have a "professional working relationship" | Michelle O'Neill said they are friends and Emma Little-Pengelly said they have a "professional working relationship" |
After a year in office together, O'Neill and Little-Pengelly were also asked about their own personal relationship - specifically if they now considered themselves as "friends". | After a year in office together, O'Neill and Little-Pengelly were also asked about their own personal relationship - specifically if they now considered themselves as "friends". |
"Yes I think we are. I mean, I think we've got a very challenging job," O'Neill replied. | "Yes I think we are. I mean, I think we've got a very challenging job," O'Neill replied. |
Little-Pengelly added: "As we said from the outset, we're very different people with very different views. | Little-Pengelly added: "As we said from the outset, we're very different people with very different views. |
"There are things that we won't agree on... but I think the key thing is that we are determined to deliver for people. | "There are things that we won't agree on... but I think the key thing is that we are determined to deliver for people. |
"This is a professional working relationship and I think we work very well together and we will continue to do that," the deputy first minister added. | "This is a professional working relationship and I think we work very well together and we will continue to do that," the deputy first minister added. |
O'Neill said their recent response to Storm Éowyn was a good example of "the importance of having a locally-elected assembly and executive in place". | O'Neill said their recent response to Storm Éowyn was a good example of "the importance of having a locally-elected assembly and executive in place". |
It was the first time a red weather warning - the highest level of safety alert - was issued across the island of Ireland and it led to unprecedented power cuts. | It was the first time a red weather warning - the highest level of safety alert - was issued across the island of Ireland and it led to unprecedented power cuts. |
"I think Emma and I certainly tried to lead from the front in terms of the storm response and I'm very pleased with that," O'Neill said. | "I think Emma and I certainly tried to lead from the front in terms of the storm response and I'm very pleased with that," O'Neill said. |
At its peak, 30% of all premises in Northern Ireland had their power disconnected but O'Neill said she believed that figure was now down to "about 400 people". | At its peak, 30% of all premises in Northern Ireland had their power disconnected but O'Neill said she believed that figure was now down to "about 400 people". |
She added that both she and the deputy first minister advocated strongly for customers to be compensated for financial losses during the prolonged power cuts. | She added that both she and the deputy first minister advocated strongly for customers to be compensated for financial losses during the prolonged power cuts. |
"This is something that NIE and Utility Regulator needs to work out and then approach the Department of Economy in terms of any legislative change that's required," she said. | "This is something that NIE and Utility Regulator needs to work out and then approach the Department of Economy in terms of any legislative change that's required," she said. |
Serious concern | |
Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Alan Lowry, said he looked forward to working with Archibald. | |
He said the FSB had always "welcomed the opportunity to engage with her" whilst she was finance minister. | |
He added that he hoped this would continue during her new role at the Department for the Economy, which, he said, has previously "laid out proposals for a number of pieces of legislation which are causing serious concern to small businesses". | |
Marks out of 10? | Marks out of 10? |
The leader of the opposition, Matthew O'Toole from the the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) said there had been little "meaningful change" in the past year. | The leader of the opposition, Matthew O'Toole from the the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) said there had been little "meaningful change" in the past year. |
"The executive will look for bunting and birthday cards for an anniversary but they've been marking time rather than making progress," he said. | "The executive will look for bunting and birthday cards for an anniversary but they've been marking time rather than making progress," he said. |
"I would struggle to give them a three or four out of 10." | "I would struggle to give them a three or four out of 10." |