O’Neill says she’s focused on Stormont delivery after four weeks of questioning
The Sinn Fein First Minister insisted the powersharing Executive at Stormont remained stable following recent controversies involving her party.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Michelle O’Neill has insisted the powersharing structures in Northern Ireland remain stable in the wake of several controversies that have hit Sinn Fein.
In an apparent bid to draw a line under a difficult month for her party, the First Minister said she has spent four weeks answering questions on the various furores but was now keen to focus on the future for the devolved executive she jointly leads with DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly.
“I spent four weeks now answering questions, where I’m focused on now is the business of government,” Ms O’Neill told the BBC.
“Emma and I have a lot of work to get through. We’re determined to continue to lead from the front on all the key issues. That’s the job at hand. That’s the job that I’m committed to as First Minister.”
On a visit to the opening of a new Irish language school in Strabane, Co Tyrone, Ms O’Neill insisted that the institutions at Stormont were “stable”.
“Government is stable, the Executive is stable,” she said.
“We are there to work together. I believe there’s a collective will across the Executive to make politics work here. I believe that’s what the public demand and deserve. I’m determined to lead that executive.”
Her comments come a day after the Executive Office posted a social media video that saw Ms O’Neill and Ms Little Pengelly speak positively about the potential for the coalition administration.
Sinn Fein has been criticised in recent weeks for its handling of a number of controversies, including that of former press officer Michael McMonagle and ex-senator Niall O Donnghaile.
McMonagle, 42, from Limewood Street, Londonderry, last month admitted to a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
It subsequently emerged that two other press officers, who have since resigned from the party, provided job references for McMonagle after Sinn Fein had suspended him amid police inquiries.
Government is stable, the Executive is stable
The references enabled McMonagle to get a job with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in 2022, with the charity unaware of the allegations he was facing.
Last week former Sinn Fein senator Mr O Donnghaile revealed the reason he stepped down from Seanad and left the party last December was due to a complaint that accused him of sending inappropriate text messages to a teenager.
Sinn Fein referred that matter to the PSNI and social services last September, but no criminal investigation was undertaken.
Separately, this week it emerged that a Sinn Fein member had resigned from the party after admitting involvement in an incident where a portrait of former DUP lord mayor Lord Wallace Browne was damaged at Belfast City Hall on Saturday.
Earlier this month, high profile Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley resigned from the party amid a controversy relating to a complaint made against him.
He has claimed he was subjected to a “character assassination” by a clique within the party and likened its processes to a kangaroo court.
His resignation came days after fellow Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan quit the party.
Ms Ryan said that her departure was in response to the party “undermining” her.