Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson described the stalemate as “a blot and a failure on the Executive Office”. As Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly appeared before the Stormont Executive Office Committee, Mr Dickson claimed they are “controlled externally in respect of all of this”. Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson, who is deputy chair of the Executive Office committee (Liam McBurney/PA)“It’s a blot and a failure on the Executive that the Maze/Long Kesh has not progressed. She said she wanted to see the economic potential of the site, but spoke of the challenges. “The deputy First Minister is a strong, independent woman who’s very capable of making her own decisions.

Source: The Herald February 04, 2026 15:28 UTC