'For days post was going round and Stanley's blood was still on it'

Garrett Hargan, Belfast Telegraph, September 3rd, 2025

ORANGEMEN HONOUR THOSE KILLED DURING TROUBLES AT DISPLAY IN LONDONDERRY

Two Orangemen have described losing family members during the Troubles, as an exhibition opened in Londonderry to remember hundreds of members of the loyal orders murdered during the conflict.

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland is hosting the display of banners, drums and memorial items dedicated to the memory of members who died.

Entitled Moving Tributes, it is being held in the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall in the city and runs until Saturday.

Over 60 individual exhibits are on display from lodges and bands across Northern Ireland, many featuring portraits of “some of the 343 brethren and one sister murdered”.

Norman Johnston spoke of his family connection to the Pomeroy District in Co Tyrone and went through the names of eight Orangemen who lost their lives.

Those included Harold Sinnamon who “stepped on a booby-trap bomb” planted by the IRA in April 1974 and died a short time later.

Stanley Adams was a 29-year-old postman and member of the UDR who was shot while delivering mail.

Mr Johnston said: “For days afterwards, there was post going round, and Stanley's blood was still on it.”

Turning to his own brother, Jim Johnston, whose name appears on the banner, Norman said that he was a part-time member of the UDR and a hospital porter in Dungannon.

“He went to camp, spent a week in camp, and came home on a Tuesday morning when he went back to his work at Drumglass Hospital,” Norman explained.

“He was meant to work at South Tyrone Hospital, but he got a phone call or message to re-route to Drumglass Hospital about a mile down the road. How that happened, we really don't know.

‘Willie, watch out, watch out’

“Jim was 28 years of age. He wasn't married but lived in Pomeroy. He was a family fella. He was the main man in our house. As far as mammy and daddy went, he was the fella that did most of the looking after, he was more caring than the rest of us were.”

On the same banner is the name of William Graham. He was shot at his family's farm, off Gortscraheen Road, near Pomeroy in April 1987.

A full-time member of the UDR, Mr Johnston recalled: “Willie was off-duty and walking across the yard when his wife saw two gunmen coming down the field and shouted, 'Willie, watch out, watch out'.

“Willie didn't hear her and they came along and shot Willie in the yard. And then shot him again.”

His voice breaking, he added: “When the neighbours found Willie, his wife was on her hands and knees on the ground, she had Willie in her arms and she was covered in blood, covered in blood, screaming, 'Don't die Willie'. And he died.”

Norman said the men were all neighbours and friends from a close-knit community who died within a mile of each other.

He added that “nobody has ever been caught” for those killings.

Nigel Lutton, a member of the Derrycorry Purple Guards Loyal Orange Lodge near Tullyroan, Co Armagh, described it as “ethnic cleansing”.

He also pointed to the Graham Memorial Apprentice Boys of Derry, Mitchelburne Club Brookeborough banner, where three brothers, all members of the UDR, were targeted by the IRA. He said the intention was to “kill the farmers, kill the businessmen, kill the only sons”.

“All of them were horrific,” he said, “but this mother lost three sons. All in separate incidents, in a short space of time.

“One of the guys was actually going with a Roman Catholic girl and they were to get married. As far as I remember, he was going to visit her.”

The name of Mr Lutton's father, Frederick, also appears on a banner. He was an ex-member of the RUC when he was killed by the IRA.

“In a very short period (1974-1979), three men from one lodge were all murdered; all of them after they retired, so it had nothing to do with still being in the forces. Pure hatred and get the land.

“I was only a youth when this happened and we had a farm. And, of course, we couldn't keep it.”

Mr Morrow said he has been “overwhelmed by the generosity of our lodges” in making their cherished memorials available for this event.

“Each one is a treasured reminder of those who suffered death at the hands of terrorism, and as such are hugely significant not only

'We're absolutely petrified'... young family forced out of dream home by sectarian thugs

ABDULLAH SABRI, Belfast Telegraph, September 3rd, 2025

MUM AND HER THREE KIDS FLEE FROM NORTH BELFAST PROPERTY AFTER ATTACKS AND THREATS FROM LOYALISTS

A mother-of-three who faced sectarian attacks and was ordered to leave her home by loyalist paramilitaries has said she fears meeting her assailants in the supermarket, after she was rehoused nearby.

What started out as a “dream home” turned into a nightmare for Emma (not her real name) after her residence was initially attacked in May on Annalee Street, north Belfast.

Her windows were smashed in a vicious attack by masked assailants who were heard shouting sectarian slurs as they fled the scene.

The young mother said she continually fears for the wellbeing of her and her children — all under the age of five — with the incident plaguing them with sleeplessness and fear.

The family fled and Emma has been living in temporary accommodation since May.

She had plans to move back, but they have now been quashed after fresh threats. Emma's was one of four Catholic families ordered to vacate the mixed housing development in the Oldpark area on Thursday by loyalist paramilitaries.

The Belfast Telegraph understands that failure to comply with the demand will result in paramilitary members returning “with petrol bombs or pipe bombs”.

“I'm absolutely petrified to go back,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.

“I will not even go into the area. I've been down once and that was only because my daddy was with me to get clothes and get [my] things.”

Emma, in her 20s, first caught word of the threats from Base 2 — an intermediary group the Housing Executive uses to assess paramilitary death threats.

It's understood the order was made due to an altercation at a local children's park which escalated.

“I believe that there was an incident happened, maybe around two, three weeks ago,” she said. “Something about children playing in a park, and then adults got involved. And I believe that the attack was supposed to be dropped.”

However, she was later informed the threat from who she was told was an element of the UDA had not been dropped, “and they want all Catholics out”.

“I just have to start from scratch, which isn't something [anyone] would want to do. But my safety and the children's safety is my main priority.

‘Not welcome in the area’

“We're going to have no other choice, because obviously we're not welcome in the area.”

She rejected rumours circulating online about people flying Palestinian flags outside homes or wearing “republican tops”.

When Emma first moved into the area she thought she had found her “forever home” after waiting in temporary accommodation for many years.

She explained that she had experienced no problems in the area prior to the attack on her home.

“I couldn't believe that I finally got offered a house,” Emma explained.

“I've been waiting for a house for over seven years and I've been living in temporary accommodation with the three boys.

“Whenever I finally got my offer, it was my last offer and it felt like it was a dream home getting in and seeing how big it was.

“And the boys were so happy as well. And we settled in really, really well.”

However, on the night of May 21 Emma's children had just gone to sleep when masonry was put through the windows of her home as well as two other residences.

Man charged

A PSNI spokesman said officers investigating reports of a sectarian motivation charged a 45-year-old man with criminal damage.

“I just don't understand why the attack happened,” she continued, “[I'm] a single mum with three young kids and didn't do anything.

“I was at home with the three boys and their daddy. He came up to visit them. The boys hadn't been sleeping just yet and then they finally dozed over. And then the windows got put through.

“The youngest boy, he was in his bedroom in his cot. It was beside the window and the window obviously got put right through and there was glass all over his cot.”

She added: “All the men were all masked up in balaclavas and they were shouting [things] like 'out you Fenian b*******'.”

Emma grabbed her children and rushed to the top floor of the house while she waited for emergency services to arrive. Her children now suffer from sleeplessness with the youngest unable to rest in their cot since the attack.

“They're absolutely petrified. And even whenever we drive past Annalee Street, they're like, 'That's our broken window house. Do you know the bad boys broke our windows?'”

Emma is now “back to square one” as she returns to temporary accommodation.

After staying at a hotel, she rejected the first apartment offered to her by the housing association, Clanmil Housing, due to noticing needles and tablet packets on the site.

“I think that's the moment where I kind of realised, this is actually real,” she recalled. “And I actually just had a breakdown. I was like, 'How am I supposed to do this?'”

Emma has expressed concern as her current temporary accommodation is close to her Oldpark area residence and has requested to be relocated further afield. As a result, she still feels on edge and refuses to shop alone as she potentially shares supermarkets with some of her assailants.

She added: “I feel as if someone's out to get me. Like, if I go out in public on my own, will someone stop me? I'll be honest with you, it's made me feel very paranoid.”

A spokesperson for Clanmil Housing said: “Northern Ireland is facing an acute housing shortage with 49,000 people currently on the social housing waiting list and significant pressure for homes. We are working closely with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and other housing associations to identify suitable alternative homes for our customers.”

They added that they are working with PSNI, local community and political representatives and other statutory agencies to ensure homes in the affected area are safe.

Families 'barricade themselves in homes' after racist attacks

JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDGE, Belfast Telegraph, September 3rd, 2025

Some families are barricading themselves in their homes in north Belfast after recent racist attacks, the area's MP has said.

John Finucane was speaking after a multi-agency meeting to discuss measures to help those affected after a number of houses were attacked in racially -motivated crimes in the Lower Oldpark area. The meeting was attended by politicians, police, the Housing Executive, housing associations, community groups, Belfast City Council and some local residents.

Mr Finucane said: “After racist attacks in the constituency in the past number of days and weeks, which comes on the heels of some very brutal and sustained sectarian attacks and intimidation, I convened a multi-agency meeting this morning which included political representatives as well as the statutory agencies.

“It was important to address the immediate steps that can be taken to address help and assistance to those families that have been attacked, those families that have been intimidated. But also it is important to note that those families who are out there seeing what is happening in north Belfast and also feeling particularly vulnerable, we heard from those and about those families in the meeting.

“I am pleased to say there are a number of practical steps which will be taken in the coming hours and days which will provide assistance to some families.”

He added: “The fact that we have families that are barricading themselves into their own homes to provide some level of comfort and security is something that should shame and bring focus to all of us.”

Alliance Party MLA Nuala McAllister said it had been a constructive meeting.

She said: “It is important to condemn any threats or violence to homes no matter where they are, or what community they are in.

“It is quite clear from what we heard of what has been going on in the community that there is lot of work behind the scenes and the vast majority of people in north Belfast want to live peacefully and together amongst their neighbours.

“Unfortunately there is a small number of people, some of them not within the immediate area, that are making people's lives miserable.”

The PSNI said officers are investigating racially-motivated criminal damage on three houses in the Manor Street and Summerhill Court areas of north Belfast last week.

Police figures released last week indicated there were 2,049 race incidents and 1,329 race crimes in Northern Ireland in the 12 months to June 30.

These are the highest figures since such data began to be collated and reported by the PSNI in 2004-05.

Royal Black chief's country 'being overrun' comments 'misinterpreted'

LIAM TUNNEY, Belfast Telegraph, September 3rd, 2025

Comments made by the leader of the Royal Black Institution have been “misinterpreted”, the organisation has said.

The institution has responded to calls for the Reverend William Anderson to consider his use of language after he described Northern Ireland as “being overrun”.

Rev Anderson made the comments while addressing a thousands-strong crowd at a Last Saturday event in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

Last Saturday marks the end of the traditional marching season in Northern Ireland.

The loyal order's Sovereign Grand Master said: “Unless you live in a parallel universe, you can't help but wonder what is going on in our world today.

“We struggle from one crisis to the next, we no longer trust our political leaders, our country is being overrun, and our national government lacks the will to deal with our problems.

“The biggest casualty is trust... (which creates) an air of hopelessness.”

A spokesperson has said the line has been misinterpreted, following calls for the institution to clarify the message.

"The Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution, Rev William Anderson, did not refer to immigration at any stage in his speech on the Last Saturday,” they said.

“In a news release issued ahead of his address, he used the words 'our country is being overrun' — this was in reference to the many serious issues facing Northern Ireland, particularly in relation to citizenship, the imposition of laws by the European Union, political machinations with regard to NI's future, the uncertainty created for the economy, and the failure of the national government to provide trust and stability.

"His speech focused on the Order's current Resolutions on Faith, Loyalty and the Constitution — none of which refer to the issue of immigration — with a strong emphasis on the Reformed Christian message underpinning the Institution's principles.”

The comments came as Northern Ireland experienced a spike in racist attacks over the weekend, although there is no suggestion they were linked to Mr Anderson's speech.

Police confirmed they are investigating racially-motivated criminal damage on three houses in the Manor Street and Summerhill Court areas of north Belfast.

Windows were also smashed and graffiti daubed on the wall during an incident in the Killaughey Road area of Donaghadee on Saturday. Police are treating it as a racially-motivated hate crime

Tempers flare amid 'unedifying' scenes at council in latest row over Irish language

MICHAEL KENWOOD, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER, Belfast Telegraph, September 3rd, 2025

Tempers have again flared at Belfast City Hall over language issues, with the DUP claiming council workers would be forced to wear uniforms featuring a new logo bearing Irish words and a public consultation was being manipulated.

The Council has agreed “in principle” to have a bilingual logo as part of its emerging Irish Language Policy.

In scenes described by some councillors as “unedifying” at the full monthly Belfast Council meeting held on Monday (September 1), DUP and Sinn Féin elected representatives shouted across the chamber to berate each other over the Irish language.

The row began after the DUP said workers would be forced to wear uniforms with Irish on them, adding the consultation on the policy was “not worth the paper it was written on”.

The DUP Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly struggled to contain open dissent to chamber rules during heated exchanges between Sinn Féin Group Leader Ciaran Beattie and DUP Deputy Group Leader Dean McCullough.

‘Racist’

Mr Beattie said that the DUP's “anti-Irish” position was “racist” after DUP councillor Sarah Bunting said “the council should not be signing blank cheques for vanity projects”.

The emerging Irish Language Policy was not agreed at the meeting, and it will be some months before it gets across the line, possibly not until next year.

Councillors were asked on Monday to agree to the minutes of the last Strategic Policy and Resources (SPR) Committee, where in a secret session held away from the public and press last month, the chamber agreed on a number of points in relation to an update on the Irish Language Policy.

At that meeting, by a majority of 14 to five, the committee agreed to note the contents of a consultation on the Irish Language Policy, and agreed, “in principle,” to adopt a bilingual logo, subject to further engagement with trade unions and stakeholders and subject to further design work.

The committee also noted that a final version of the draft policy, together with a proposed implementation plan and options for an updated logo, would be brought to its next meeting.

At the full council meeting on Monday, these minutes were agreed after a proposal by DUP Group Leader Sarah Bunting failed.

Her proposal called for the decision at the SPR Committee meeting to be amended for the council to “defer any decision on the draft Irish Language Policy until all costs for implementation are available, and the open and transparent details are put out for consultation on a platform that will only count responses from those who can prove they are a Belfast City Council resident or ratepayer”. Fifteen councillors from the unionist parties voted in favour of the DUP amendment, while 40 voted against it, from Sinn Féin, Alliance, the SDLP, the Green Party, and People Before Profit.

Are respondents ratepayers or even residents?

Ms Bunting said: “This Irish Language Policy is being pushed forward on the back of the consultation paper, which quite frankly isn't worth the paper it is written on. Why? Because the platform that is being used does not ask the respondents if they are a ratepayer or even a resident of this city.

“We also know that one organisation, that has a vested interest in this policy being passed, used their website to direct people to the consultation online.

“That means people with no stake in this city, no civic pride in this city, no skin in the game, can dictate and influence decisions that our ratepayers will be forced to pay for. That is not democracy, that is manipulation of process.

“And this talk about the cost. We still don't know what this policy will cost the people of Belfast.

“When this previously came before the committee and council, we were told by Sinn Féin and the Alliance Party that it was OK, it was only a consultation, there was nothing to be afraid of, and we will get the costs before any decisions would be made.

“But here we are, being asked to make decisions, without knowing the costs.

“Ratepayers are being kept in the dark, and at a time when families are struggling with bills, and businesses can barely keep their doors open, this council should not be signing blank cheques for vanity projects.”

She added: “And then there are the uniforms. Forcing dual language logos onto staff uniforms will create division amongst our workforce, not unity. It risks singling out staff in public facing roles, and putting them in difficult and perhaps dangerous situations.

“Are we seriously prepared to put staff safety on the line for the sake of a political gesture?

“If a member of staff refuses to wear the uniform, will they be disciplined? Will they be punished for having a different view or opinion? That is the kind of question this policy raises, and it should trouble every single councillor in this chamber.

“Let's be honest, this policy is going to be pushed through, and it is going to be dressed up as progress. But the reality is that it is costly, it is divisive and it is unnecessary.”

Sinn Féin councillor Ciaran Beattie said: “As always, when it comes to the Irish language there is always delay, hindrance, challenge, and there is always misinformation.

“To mention uniforms - my three young girls wear uniforms to a school which is completely in Irish. To say it would be controversial to walk through this building or hurtful to anyone, is actually hurtful to me. Because they are not controversial, and they speak the language as their first language.”

He added: “It is a bit difficult to understand the DUP's position on it. If you look across the water, in Glasgow there is bilingual, if you go to Cardiff and loads of other cities in the UK, they have Gaelic on their uniforms.

“But they don't like it in Belfast, why? Because it is Irish. And that is the issue. They don't like Irish - and (for) a lot of people that is racist.” He turned to the DUP benches and said: “But you are right, it is happening, it is coming through, and you either accept it or you don't. And listen, you just need to get over it.”

Two new language commissioners appointed

DUP councillor Dean McCullough said: “You are not anti-Irish if you do not want to wear a uniform that (has) Irish (on it), or if you do not want to learn Irish.”

He asked for “clarification” on the accusation of racism. Mr McCullough asked: “Are you saying we're racist?”

Mr Beattie replied: “You're anti-Irish,” without either directing their comments through the Lord Mayor, as is the protocol.

SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite said it was “ironic” that Sinn Féin and the DUP had in Stormont recently agreed on the appointment of two new language commissioners.

He said: “But yet we're happy to have yet another embarrassing bunfight in this chamber about the promotion of the Irish language.”

He called the City Hall scenes “unedifying.”

Alliance Party Councillor Jenna Maghie also used the word “unedifying” to describe the exchanges, comparing the debate to one involving her young children.

Orange Order members and former loyalist paramilitaries signing up to learn Irish

Conor Sheils, Irish News, September 3rd, 1939

IRISH language classes in east Belfast have attracted members of the Orange Order and former loyalist paramilitaries – as numbers swell so high they’re running out of the space.

Speaking from her office on East Belfast’s Newtownards Road, Linda Ervine of the Turas Project told The Irish News that so many people have applied for the upcoming enrolment of their Irish language classes that they are struggling to find space to sit them.

“The classes have been growing in popularity every year. Last year was our biggest ever, with about 700 people signing up,” she said.

“Registration is still open for this, we’re on track to reach a similar number this year.

“This year, due to lack of space, we’ve had to close some classes, which we don’t usually do. We really don’t have enough room for everyone, so unfortunately, we have to turn some people away as there just isn’t enough space.”

Speaking about the types of students who are taking part in the classes, she said that they come from all backgrounds and even include participants who would not traditionally have supported the Irish language.

“We’ve had participants from all political and community backgrounds, including the Orange Order, DUP, Alliance, UUP, police, and army. Even individuals who were involved in the conflict have attended

“The participants are very mixed,” she said.

“When we started 13 years ago, they were mostly from the unionist community, and that remains the majority. Most attendees come from east Belfast, greater east Belfast, Castlereagh, and North Down, areas without much access to Irish classes.

“Our classes attract people from all walks of life. Some have only basic qualifications, while others hold PhDs. The diversity in socio-economic background, tradition, and experience is remarkable.

“We’ve had participants from all political and community backgrounds, including the Orange Order, DUP, Alliance, UUP, police, and army. Even individuals who were involved in the conflict have attended.”

When asked if she meant former paramilitaries who had been involved in the conflict she said: “Of course, these are people who live among us.”

Ms Ervine is the sister-in-law of former PUP leader David Ervine and insists that the organisation has not received the same backlash in the area as other projects such as East Belfast GAA.

“Generally, there’s no trouble, most people are supportive. Occasionally there’s minor aggravation, but the classes are largely positive,” she said.

“Our project tends to avoid controversy that other cultural organisations sometimes face. We are based in the Methodist community, with many staff and participants who are Protestant. This makes us seem less threatening to some. We are not regarded as outsiders.”

Underground barrier considered for contaminated Mobuoy site in Derry

GARRETT HARGAN, Belfast Telegraph, September 3rd, 2025

PUBLIC CONSULTATION EVENT ON A DRAFT REMEDIATION PLAN TO BE HELD TODAY

The erection of an underground barrier could be required to treat the contaminated Mobuoy site near Derry, with the £700m clean-up effort potentially taking decades.

The first of two public consultation events on a draft Mobuoy remediation strategy takes place today in the city as officials edge closer to cleansing toxins from illegal dumping at the 46-hectare plot located beside the River Faughan.

Investigations indicate there is approximately 1.6 million tonnes of waste at the site, with 627,000 tonnes estimated to have been deposited unlawfully.

The cost of fully removing toxins has been estimated to be upward of £700m by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera), as outlined in its annual report.

However, officials believe that may not be the best option once social, economic and environmental factors are taken into account.

Instead, the draft strategy includes proposals to remove some waste while also installing an underground permeable reactive barrier to treat contaminated groundwater on the site.

The structure would consist of several boreholes or trenches filled with a reactive material to promote decomposition or degradation of contaminants.

It would be placed between the affected land and the river to break pollutant linkage.

Officials said that would take five to seven years of engineering work on site, and an additional 20 years or more until the groundwater is “completely cleaned up”.

Earlier this year, two men were prosecuted after pleading guilty to a number of charges.

Paul Doherty (67), of Culmore Road, Derry, admitted seven charges between 2007 and 2013 relating to the contaminated Mobuoy dump at Campsie, and was sentenced to one year in prison.

Co-defendant Gerard Farmer (56), of Westlake in the city, was jailed for 21 months after pleading guilty to three charges between 2011 and 2013.

Following the conclusion of court proceedings in June, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir announced the launch of a consultation on the remedy proposals.

He told MLAs there is “no quick fix”, but said he was “committed to continuing to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to protect water quality and the environment during these processes”.

An estimated £8m has been spent on the site to date, which includes an environmental monitoring programme particularly in relation to the River Faughan which is designated as a special area of conservation.

Just over a mile upstream from drinking water source

The affected area is approximately 2km (1.2 miles) upstream from a drinking water abstraction point in Cloghole, which serves a population of 60,000.

While Daera officials accepted that contaminated groundwater is reaching the river, they insist there is “huge dilution” and it is therefore not detected by “extremely sensitive equipment”.

The removal of waste is also proposed along a section of the A6 which has been impacted due to court proceedings and will face further delays until remediation works take place.

When asked if there is a timeline for remediation to allow A6 construction to recommence, Daera officials were unable to answer, insisting it is a matter for the Department for Infrastructure.

Members of the public have been urged to attend a drop-in event at Eglinton Community Centre which will be open from 12pm until 7pm today, providing an opportunity to speak directly to the NI Environment Agency (NIEA) and others involved in working on the remediation project.

Officials from the NIEA's drinking water inspectorate will also be there alongside representatives from other organisations including NI Water, the Public Health Agency, Department for Infrastructure, and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute.

A second public consultation event will take place next Wednesday at the Millennium Forum between 12pm and 7pm.

Stormont leaders display ‘masterpiece of vagueness’ over £1.3bn spend commitment

JOHN MANLEY, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, Irish News, September 3rd, 2025

THE first and deputy first ministers have defended using phraseology in the programme for government that one MLA has described as a “masterpiece of vagueness”.

Already disparaged in some quarters for its lack of ambition and absence of stated goals, the executive’s three-year Programme for Government is again in the firing line for using the term “the next few years” in relation to spending £1.3 billion of public money.

Use of the word ‘few’, generally accepted to mean a small number without specifying a definite quantity, has been justified by Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly – but it took the Stormont leaders six months to come up with the explanation.

While it tends to be avoided in official documents because it is vague and imprecise and, therefore, open to different interpretations, ‘few’ is applied in the Programme for Government in relation to funds that are expected to be spent “with the aim of stimulating regeneration and tourism”.

In response to a written assembly question tabled in March by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, the first and deputy first ministers said it was deployed in this instance because “it is not possible to quantify exactly how many years the investment will take”. The North Antrim MLA told The Irish News that he had asked the question in the hope that the ministers would “clarify” the timeframe involved.

“ Apparently, the money will cover around 50 projects… some projects are already happening, others are still just ideas on paper but the key point is they cannot tell us how long it will take

“Well, it’s a masterpiece of vagueness,” Mr Gaston told The Irish News.

“Apparently, the money will cover around 50 projects – from ‘cutting-edge innovation centres’ to ‘exciting tourism offerings’ and even ‘local infrastructure’ – some projects are already happening, others are still just ideas on paper but the key point is they cannot tell us how long it will take.”

The TUV representative said the Executive was pledging huge investment but was unable to say whether the money would be spent in “three, five, or perhaps forever”.

Meanwhile, it has taken the first and deputy first ministers the best part of a year to tell an MLA that the written question she asked does not fall within their remit.

In November last year, Strangford representative Michelle McIlveen asked Ms O’Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly to detail the number of vacancies within their department that had been filled by an individual already employed in that position, either on a temporary basis or through an agency.

In a response of September 1, more than 10 months since the DUP MLA tabled the written question, the ministers responded by informing Ms McIlveen that “the information requested would fall within the remit of the Department of Finance”.

Constitutional change must also advance workers’ rights

PLATFORM: DECLAN KEARNEY

Irish News, September 3rd, 2025

WE ARE closer to Irish unity in 2025 than at any time since the partition of our country and there are many reasons to be optimistic about what national reunification can deliver in terms of economic growth, shared prosperity, and a better quality of life for workers and families in all of Ireland.

An unprecedented political consensus now exists among the majority of political parties north and south about the need to plan and prepare for constitutional transition. The Irish government must take a lead in doing so.

Last June at St Mary’s College, Belfast, former taoiseach Leo Varadkar captured the mood well when he stated, “building a new and united Ireland is the next step in our national journey, and the future of this island and all our peoples and communities will be central to that discussion”.

The Irish government has already committed to a shared island programme of major investment in cross-border infrastructure, healthcare integration, environmental initiatives and educational measures. This is an important start.

Intertrade Ireland has reported that cross-border trade has reached historically high levels, with a remarkable 80% of the €15 billion in cross-border trade across the island driven by locally owned SMEs.

The latest research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) records that the 26 counties continue to outperform the north by most measurements, including labour market trends, living standards, economic structures, education, health and overall well- being.

Key to advancing the ‘national journey’ towards reunification will be detailed discussions on how to merge the two economies on our island, and to develop a fully integrated economic model with a real capacity to compete in the global economy.

Windsor Framework

While the north’s regional economy has shown a growth potential in recent years, due to the protections associated with the Windsor Framework, significant structural challenges remain.

Among these are low productivity, regional imbalance, large numbers of unskilled workers, high levels of economic inactivity, major infrastructure deficits, and a lack of inward investment.

A recent NISRA report has revealed that between April and June this year, 25,000 young people aged between 16 and 24 are not in education, employment or training.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) asserts that stronger employment rights, an economic/industrial strategy and apprenticeship reforms are needed. It is arguing for ‘A New Economic Model’ across the island.

The “Good Jobs” legislation making its way through the assembly is a positive move in the right direction because it will legislate for stronger union representation, collective bargaining rights, and enhanced protections for workers. Indeed, it will represent a template for the southern state to adopt similar progressive employment laws, especially at a time when the present Irish government looks set to retreat from its obligations under the EU Adequate Minimum Wages Directive.

Looking forward, Sinn Féin believes that workers’ rights and economic equality should be central to any process of constitutional change. There are important international models of best practice which can be drawn upon.

Key to advancing the ‘national journey’ towards reunification will be detailed discussions on how to merge the two economies on our island.

Social dialogue

The International Labour Organisation and ICTU advocate the use of social dialogue as a means to advance social justice, foster inclusive economic growth, and improve wages and working conditions.

In Malta, national social dialogue ensures that union and employer representation is placed on an equal footing alongside civic society groups, in designing industrial policy.

Notably, the Malta model emphasises consultation in designing apprenticeship programmes. This is of particular relevance for the north and the urgent need to address economic inactivity, particularly among young people.

Nordic countries such as Denmark and Norway have a strong tradition of social dialogue, which directly involves trade unions, with government bodies and employers in the formulation of a wide range of economic policies, such as wages levels, working conditions, maternity and paternal leave, labour market flexibility, and employment security.

Irish unity may not be inevitable, but all the key factors demonstrate that it is both a politically achievable and economically viable prospect.

This fact strongly underscores the central role which social dialogue and Irish trade union movement should play to ensure that the process of constitutional transition in Ireland fully incorporates industrial democracy, fairness in the workplace and delivery of good jobs.

Workers’ rights should not be delayed. Declan Kearney is Sinn Féin national chairman and MLA for South Antrim.