2 February 2026
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has said that Executive parties must accept the need for fundamental reform at Stormont after two years of failure.
He was speaking after he challenged the deputy First Minister on the Executive’s performance during questions in the Assembly on Monday.
Tuesday marks two years since the restoration of the Stormont institutions.
South Belfast MLA Matthew O’Toole said:
“Just one in four people believe that the return of the Stormont institutions has improved their lives. That is a damning indictment on an Executive that has spent more time at each other’s throats over the past two years than focusing on legislation and interventions to benefit the public.
“Ahead of the Executive’s return we were treated to a long list of promises from Executive parties about all the positive changes they would make when taking office. Two years on people still face long waits for vital healthcare, work to tackle the environmental crisis at Lough Neagh has moved at a glacial pace, the Executive are missing their own modest social housing target and public services are in a dire state.
“I asked the deputy First Minister today to address the very real public sentiment that the Executive is letting them down. All I got in return was a number of minor measures and not-finished legislation that we have been promised is coming for the last two years. There was no acknowledgement of the fundamental reform needed to drive necessary change.
“Since Stormont’s return the SDLP has proven the value of a robust and constructive opposition. We have secured progress in a number of areas including on Lough Neagh and the Finance Minister’s recent U-turn on rates. We have asked every Executive party leader to support our reform proposals and will keep working to change the way we do government here and to ensure accountability and delivery from an Executive that repeatedly puts their own party interests ahead of the public’s.”