NI Executive remains stable, first minister claims

First Minister Michelle O’Neill has denied the government at Stormont has been destabilised by recent controversies around her party.

While she accepted the past number of weeks have been “difficult”, she insisted the power-sharing executive remains “stable”.

The first minister was speaking at the opening of a new Irish language school Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh in Strabane.

The £7.2m school is the second Irish language school to be built outside Belfast.

Speaking for the first time since her appearance before a Stormont scrutiny committee this week, Michelle O’Neill said she now wanted to focus on the future.

When asked to respond to accusations that she evaded many questions, the first minister said: “I've spent four weeks now answering questions. Where I'm focused now is on the business of government."

She added: “Emma and I have a huge lot of work to get through.

"We're determined to continue to lead from the front on all the key issues of the day.”

O’Neill also insisted there was no threat to the future of government at Stormont.

She said: “people should be very assured government is stable. The executive is stable.

“We are there to work together, where there are four parties around a coalition in terms of bringing our own priorities," she said.

“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," she continued.

"I'm determined to lead that executive.”