![\"DUP](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/stormont-s-top-challenge-is-severe-underfunding-of-public-services-o-neill.jpg\")
DUP leader Gavin Robinson criticised \u2018endless divisive border poll agitation\u2019 (Liam McBurney\/PA)<\/p>\nThe Stormont Assembly\u2019s greatest challenge is the \u201csevere underfunding of public services,” the First Minister has said.<\/p>\n
Michelle O\u2019Neill conceded that relations within the Executive, comprised of four different political parties, are \u201cdifficult and complex\u201d but insisted the \u201cgreatest challenge is the severe underfunding of our public services\u201d.<\/p>\n
She accused the Labour Government of not keeping its promise of a \u201cnew dawn\u201d, and instead \u201ccontinuing along a similar path\u201d as the Conservatives, and reiterated her call for a border poll.<\/p>\n
A Government spokesperson said it is providing \u201crecord funding to the Northern Ireland Executive, including \u00a319.3 billion (\u20ac22.1 billion) per year on average through to 2028-29\u201d.<\/p>\n
In his New Year message, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Northern Ireland \u201cstands at a juncture\u201d and urged the choosing of \u201ccommon sense over ideology\u201d.<\/p>\n
DUP leader Gavin Robinson criticised \u2018endless divisive border poll agitation\u2019 (Liam McBurney\/PA)<\/p>\n
Mr Robinson said: \u201cThe Democratic Unionist Party is unashamedly focused on making Northern Ireland work \u2026 that is where government effort should be directed, not towards performative politics or endless divisive border poll agitation with a random date that has moved from 2016 to 2030 to 2036 like the proverbial goalposts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recent months saw the Northern Ireland Executive struggle to find the cash to deliver pay parity with colleagues in the rest of the UK for healthcare workers, teachers and police staff.<\/p>\n
There have also been spats between Sinn F\u00e9in and DUP ministers, particularly around funding allocations.<\/p>\n
But in her New Year message, Ms O\u2019Neill said London will \u201cnever prioritise the interests of the people of the north of Ireland\u201d, and called for constitutional change.<\/p>\n
Almost two years on from the restoration of the Assembly and re-establishment of the Executive made up of ministers from Sinn F\u00e9in, the DUP, UUP and Alliance, Ms O\u2019Neill said the \u201coften conflicting political positions are difficult and complex\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has undoubtedly been challenging but when ministers work together constructively, there has been real progress made,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe greatest challenge that we face collectively is, of course, the severe underfunding of our public services.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the British Labour Party came to power in 2024, they promised a new dawn after years of Tory cuts and austerity. Yet with a continuing cost-of-living crisis and a recent budget that failed to support workers, families and businesses in a meaningful way, Labour has continued along a similar path to the Tories.<\/p>\n
![\"North](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1767211939_516_stormont-s-top-challenge-is-severe-underfunding-of-public-services-o-neill.jpg\")
First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O\u2019Neill (left) and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (Clodagh Kilcoyne\/PA)<\/p>\n![\"Varadkar'S](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2-75803552-e1750348595811.jpg\")
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