The newly–restored Executive can point to a reasonable list of actions since its return in February. However, a long list of tough decisions have yet to be made and the lack of a Programme for Government is concerning. 

Repairing Northern Ireland’s deteriorating public services will require much greater ambition, and more co–operation, from elected representatives.

The Executive returned seven months ago after a two–year absence. While the institutions were down, Northern Ireland’s public services and finances – which had already been under strain – deteriorated significantly.

Optimism around the return of a functioning Executive and Assembly was tempered by broad realism about the task at hand. A new report by Pivotal, the independent think tank focused on Northern Ireland, finds that while the Executive has made some good progress, it still has a huge amount to do if it wants to repair public services and make real improvements in people’s day–to–day lives.

‘The first seven months of the restored Northern Ireland Executive’, looks at how well the Executive has functioned in a challenging period for Northern Ireland, following the two–year collapse which saw public services drift without proper political oversight and decision making, over–spent budgets, a developing ecological crisis in Lough Neagh, and sweeping global issues.

The report reviews actions taken by the Executive and each department since February, considering what has been achieved and what priorities should be now.

The report states that: “In many areas of policy, Northern Ireland needs a complete transformation to reverse recent declines and be ready for the future. There is not much evidence to show yet that the Executive grasps the level of joint vision, ambition and change needed.