Posted by Jim on June 4, 2026

Effective government has been denied

The foreword to the document on proposals for Stormont reform, ‘Building Better Politics/Ag Tógáil Polaitíochta Feabhsaithe’, by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.

In May, 2026, we witnessed seismic elections results across Scotland and Wales. We now have three pro-independence First Ministers – here in the north of Ireland, in Scotland and in Wales.

Constitutional change is very much on the political agenda. Partition has failed all of the people of this island.

While our Assembly and Ministerial team continue to do all they can to deliver for ordinary people in the here and now, Sinn Féin believes that the best option for all the people of this island is a new, united Ireland within the European Union.

The constitutional referendum set out in the Good Friday Agreement needs to happen. In cooperation and partnership with the pro-independence movements in Wales and Scotland, Sinn Féin will continue to make the realisation of that referendum a political priority in the time ahead – while also working day-in and day-out to deliver for communities, families and workers.

Delivering for people in the here and now is of course a challenge, given the unusual political structure that exists in the north of Ireland. Delivery is frustratingly slow. I understand and share that frustration. We have to do things better.

Reform of the political institutions is clearly necessary but it will, unfortunately, not resolve the fundamental problem that some parties remain opposed to power-sharing, to equality and to the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.

Reform cannot address the fundamental difficulty of underfunding and an austerity agenda imposed on us from Westmininster. But we can improve the operation of our political institutions to deliver better. As a result of the inbuilt veto over Ministerial appointments by the two biggest parties, the Executive has faced repeated collapse with progress and day-to-day government frustrated. It is our view that this is a fundamental flaw that should be addressed. Given our difficult past and our divided politics, power-sharing must, of course, be maintained and resolutely defended.

Power-sharing is a core principle of the Good Friday Agreement, but the veto over the operation of the political institutions is a corruption of that principle. The work of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee (AERC) is the established and appropriate vehicle for addressing these important issues. The Sinn Féin members of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee are fully engaged in this essential work and will engage positively on proposals, views and suggestion for properly considered and researched reform that are meaningful and effective. And, crucially, proposed reform must protect the fundamental principles of power sharing and the Good Friday Agreement.

Sinn Féin are now bringing forward important and consequential reforms, reforms that will ensure the Assembly and the Executive can continue to function even in the context of political or economic crises.

Crucially, we propose no single party should have the power to block or collapse the Assembly.

In this document, Sinn Féin has identified changes that would have an immediate stabilising and normalising impact. We are not ruling out other proposals. In fact, Sinn Féin is very open to working constructively with other parties to advance these and other credible and effective proposals that can improve the operation and effectiveness of our political institutions.

Mary Lou McDonald TD

UACHTARÁN SHINN FÉIN