Northern Ireland has passed another year without the power sharing institutions collapsing, although the pace of executive function has been sclerotic. However, the Northern Executive and Assembly must improve its operations and have greater ambition. Northern Ireland faces many challenges, not least a malfunctioning health system, an under-resourced police service, a defective water supply, climate change, pollution – most egregiously exemplified by the green algae on Lough Neagh – and other pressing matters such as creating jobs, housing, addressing educational under-achievement and improving infrastructure. The British and Irish governments have appointed a special interlocutor, Fleur Ravensbergen, to assess whether these organisations can be persuaded to clear the stage. They must confound the cynics and lead the Stormont Executive and Assembly in making Northern Ireland work for the common good.

Source: The Irish Times January 06, 2026 07:30 UTC