First Minister

Morning View

First Minister Michelle O’Neill damaged Executive unity amid violence

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has faced a call to resign from First Minister Michelle O'Neill. Photo: Presseye

DUP leader accuses Michelle O'Neill of 'silly games' over Lyons resignation call

Neither First Minister Michelle O'Neill (right) nor her junior minister Aisling Reilly (left) have given their view on the implications of the UK Supreme Court sex ruling in Northern Ireland, stating instead that they would wait for guidance from the Equality Commission.

Sinn Fein junior minister dodges question on Supreme Court sex ruling

UUP MLA Doug Beattie.

Beattie slams O'Neill for chastising minister over single sex policy in schools

Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole has questioned the First Minister on whether she has stayed in 5 star hotels on foreign trips.

O'Neill says 'I don't seek out five star hotels' - as ministers' spending probed

The First Minister Michelle O'Neill has declined to say whether she agrees with the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman.

First Minister avoids questions on Supreme Court ruling on definition of woman

First Minister Michelle O'Neill.

TUV conference: Jim Allister questions what would be lost if Stormont collapsed

Undated photo issued by Royal Navy of HMS Somerset flanking Russian ship Yantar near UK waters. Defence Secretary John Healey has warned Mr Putin "we see you, we know what you are doing and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country".

Putin 'won't lose sleep' over Chancellor's defence spending - Aiken

DUP MLAs meet members of the Women's Rights Network Northern Ireland at Stormont. Photo: DUP

DUP meets women's group - weeks after Sinn Fein branded them 'disgraceful'

The TUV has raised questions about why Stormont isn't spending all of the money allocated to it by Westminster as a result of a more generous childcare scheme in England, on childcare here. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

TUV question how Stormont Executive spent extra childcare cash

First Minister Michelle O'Neill will boycott the US government's annual St Patrick's Day event. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

O'Neill 'double standards' over meetings with China amid US boycott - Swann

Opposition leader Matthew O’Toole has asked who is in charge of the Executive's storm response.

Mixed reviews for Stormont's response to Storm Eowyn

Morning View

Editorial: Trump's clarity on gender poses a tricky question for some MLAs

First Minister Michelle O’Neill previously refused to answer MLA Timothy Gaston's questions about Michael McMonagle's employment.

Assembly to debate TUV motion on controversial McMonagle report

TUV leader Jim Allister MP.

Government's decision 'should break Stormont' - Jim Allister

First Minister Michelle O’Neill has criticised the DUP decision to pull the Stormont Brake.

First minister O'Neill critical of DUP pulling Stormont Brake

A vandalised portrait of former DUP mayor Lord Browne is back in its rightful place in Belfast City Hall after being vandalised. Photo: Belfast City Council

Vandalised portrait of former DUP mayor reinstated in Belfast City Hall

Lagan Valley MLA Michelle Guy has said there is a need to stabilise the Stormont Assembly. Pic credit: Alliance

Opportunity to tackle Assembly dysfunction is being missed

Leader of the Alliance party Naomi Long hasn't responded to questions put to her about Paula Bradshaw's handling of the TEO committee. Photo: Liam McBurney

Alliance leader quiet on whether she backs Bradshaw over text message row

The First Minister's office has released text messages between Michelle O'Neill and Paula Bradshaw which had not previously been declared by the committee chair.

‘Just leave it’ – Opposition MLA on FM’s texts to scrutiny chair

The First Minister's office has released text messages between Michelle O'Neill and Paula Bradshaw which had not previously been declared by the committee chair.

Previously undeclared text messages between O'Neill and Bradshaw revealed

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has accused the First Minister of bypassing official channels to contact Ms Bradshaw directly.

Text messages raise ‘profound’ issues for the First Minister - Gaston

First Minister Michelle O’Neill refused to answer MLAs' questions about her party’s handling of recent scandals during an appearance at Stormont's TEO committee in October.

Initial expenses probe prompted by McMonagle scandal expected in January

The banner accusing Sinn Féin of being "traitors" has been put up at the office of the party's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill in Cookstown. The banner was stuck to the office shutters after O'Neill laid a laurel wreath at the Cenotaph at Belfast City Hall on Sunday, becoming the first senior Sinn Féin figure to take part in an official Remembrance ceremony. Credit: Pacemaker

'Traitors' banner is hung outside Sinn Féin's Cookstown office

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has challenged a number of aspects of the Executive committee's chaotic handling of scrutinising the First Minister.

Overhaul of Assembly rules needed over private meeting ‘scandal’

First Minister Michelle O’Neill refused to answer MLAs' questions about her party’s handling of recent scandals

First Minister could face a series of Assembly probes

Paula Bradshaw told Timothy Gaston that a question to the First Minister on her employment of Michael McMonagle was not relevant.

'She's handling them well' - Alliance leader defends Paula Bradshaw

First Minister Michelle O'Neill answering questions on the scandal engulfing her party.

First Minister attempts to move on from questions on SF scandals

First Minister Michelle O'Neill appearing before the committee where she faced questions about recent controversies in Sinn Fein, and repeatedly refused to answer them. Photo:Northern Ireland Assembly/PA Wire

First Minister claims IRA influence on Sinn Fein is a ‘party political’ matter

Paula Bradshaw told Timothy Gaston that a question on Michael McMonagle's employment was not relevant.

'You're badgering a witness' - Bradshaw rejects question on McMonagle job

First Minister Michelle O'Neill has refused to answer questions about her party's handling of recent scandals - while claiming she was so committed to openness and transparency that she has already "blurred the lines".

Defiant O’Neill refuses to answer bumbling MLAs

Michelle O'Neill will face questions from MLAs at Stormont - including on Michael McMonagle, a man she apparently employed in her constituency office. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Sinn Fein scandals: What the First Minister may be grilled on today

SF's leadership either side of the border were at odds over the age of a teenager who received inappropriate text messages from Niall O Donnghaile. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Sinn Fein leaders at odds over age of teen who received inappropriate messages

The Executive Office won't confirm whether First Minister Michelle O'Neill - or junior minister Aisling Reilly - will attend TEO committee this week. At their last appearance, the First Minister was accused of attempting to 'shield' Ms Reilly (left) from questioning on the Michael McMonagle case during a Stormont committee.

First Minister's office won't confirm scrutiny committee attendance

First Minister Michelle O'Neill answering questions on the scandal engulfing her party.

First Minister claims child who received inappropriate messages was 'in fact 17'

At the First Minister's last evidence session, TUV MLA Timothy Gaston's attempts to question junior minister Aisling Reilly were addressed by the Michelle O'Neill instead - with committee chair Paula Bradshaw's agreement.

Committee decision 'makes a mockery' of scrutiny

Michelle O'Neill's Sinn Fein colleague on the committee meant to hold her to account has said the First Minister has already answered "an hour’s worth of questions". Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

DUP leader wants O’Neill to face committee scrutiny next week

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston's previous attempt to scrutinise an unevidenced claim that the Housing Executive is "institutionally racist" was shut down by committee chair Paula Bradshaw who said she would not question a witness's "lived experience".

The letter which prompted bizarre scenes at Stormont revealed

Michelle O'Neill standing a few yards from Michael McMonagle - but she says she didn't see her former employee.

Analysis: McMonagle has put SF's finances - and its MLAs - in the spotlight

First Minister Michelle O'Neill was accused of attempting to 'shield' her junior minister Aisling Reilly (left) from questioning on the Michael McMonagle case during a Stormont committee.

Sinn Fein's unanswered questions - and the information it hasn't volunteered

An Assembly official cuts the live feed after being instructed by the committee chair Paula Bradshaw.

Watch: Stormont chair cuts live feed when complaint against her raised

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston.

Gaston asks how Stormont can 'deliver lectures' on protecting children