17 November 2025
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has challenged the FM's lukewarm support for delivering the North-South Interconnector in the Assembly today.
Mr O’Toole said it underlined her party's inconsistent and contradictory approach to one of the most critical pieces of all-island infrastructure.
South Belfast Matthew O’Toole MLA said:
“The First Minister's party has spoken out of both sides of their mouths, on both sides of the border on this hugely important project. The North-South Interconnector is critical for reducing bills, driving decarbonisation and super-charging the all-island economy.
“A nationalist First Minister should be able to give more than lukewarm support to the most crucial piece of cross-border infrastructure. Leading isn’t simply about photo opps or platitudes on social media for likes, it’s about setting a vision and delivering on it, even when it involves challenging decisions.
“The First Minister and her party have repeatedly proven themselves allergic to real leadership. Today was yet another example with the First Minister unable to offer unambiguous support for the interconnector to be built overground even when asked directly.”