Debate contribution: Building Political Consensus

Debate contribution by Miss Deirdre Hargey on 13 October 2026.

MLA: Miss Deirdre Hargey
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 13 October 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Opposition Business
Heading: Building Political Consensus
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5789735

Text

Building political consensus was a central part of the Good Friday Agreement, as endorsed by the people across Ireland. At its heart were power-sharing, the protection of minority rights and, of course, the three key strands of power-sharing institutions, North/South bodies and east-west bodies. Sinn Féin embraced the agreement because it understood that progress requires compromise, courage and a willingness to build a different future. The DUP opposed the agreement in 1998; that is a matter of historical record. The question now is whether all parties are genuinely committed to the agreement's principles of partnership, equality and mutual respect.
Power-sharing cannot work if one tradition's rights are respected while another's are treated as optional. Consensus does not mean abandoning our beliefs. I believe in constitutional change on the island, just as Matthew stated, because I believe that it would improve people's quality of life. It would be better for people here socially and economically. It would, however, also mean respecting one another and governing in the interests of all. Equality cannot be accepted only when it is politically convenient. The rights of women, our LGBTQ+ community, Irish language speakers and workers must also be protected. We must ask whether the Assembly will advance equality or continue to see commitments on issues such as workers' rights, environmental protections, Irish language rights or the basic right of girls to wear trousers to school blocked by those who obstructed a bill of rights and a Civic Forum. Consensus must also mean delivering real change in people's lives. That means a properly funded health service, fair pay, affordable childcare, secure housing and decent public services. The workers who keep our hospitals running, teach our children and care for our most vulnerable deserve dignity, fair pay and decent conditions. We cannot expect workers to carry the financial pressures indefinitely or expect services to recover without investment and long-term planning. That is exactly why the Executive are right to challenge the British Government over their underfunding of our services. For transformation truly to happen — we all agree that it needs to happen in our public services — it must be properly funded and sustainable. Despite our differences, progress is possible. Last week, we saw Minister Liz Kimmins and Minister Andrew Muir successfully challenge the A5 judgement, which will allow that road to be built. In the Chamber only yesterday, we saw progressive legislation on tackling holiday hunger for 90,000 children, supporting Irish-medium education and developing sustainable drainage programmes to support communities move to the next legislative stage. Alongside that, we had announcements of £2·3 million in funding for small businesses and £1 million to be invested directly in community transport. Those are only some of the practical examples of politics delivering for our people. The future cannot be built by resisting change or treating equality as a threat. That is key. People often say that we need to get on with the business of delivering on health and social care and all the other issues: that is, of course, important, but so is challenging inequality and those who try to threaten it. One does not have to be done without the other. The two issues are just as important, and it is important for me to state that. Sinn Féin wants to see the Assembly work. We want to see an Executive who deliver and a society in which everyone can live with dignity, equality and respect, because that is fundamental to dealing with the social and economic issues that our communities face. The Good Friday Agreement gave us that framework, and it is now our responsibility to honour it and see its full implementation. That is an important point. The bill of rights has continued to be obstructed, as has the Civic Forum, which would have allowed citizens from across our communities to work together on some of the challenges that face this institution and our society as a whole. It was obstructed by the same people who want to obstruct other progressive legislation. As we move forward, I hope that we build the key foundations of rights, equality and respect for all.

689 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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