Sinn Fein has no intentions of collapsing Stormont, John O’Dowd says

By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

Sinn Féin has “no intentions” of collapsing Northern Ireland’s powersharing institutions, Finance Minister John O’Dowd has insisted.

However, O’Dowd did state that his party has “genuine concerns about the behaviour and the stance of the DUP” and the impact that it has on political stability.

A unionist minister has added that he does not believe there is any “imminent danger” that the political institutions could be suspended.

Recently, Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy warned that powersharing at Stormont is in a “precarious place”, stating that the largest unionist party, the DUP, “don’t have the political will to make it work”.

The DUP hit back, accusing Sinn Féin of “inserting instability” into the powersharing government arrangements.

The Stormont Executive has yet to agree a budget for the current financial year, with parties around the table calling for further funding from the UK Government.

Fresh Assembly elections are due to take place next year.

The current Assembly was restored in 2020 following a two-year suspension, the latest in a number of occasions that the powersharing institutions have been collapsed.

Sinn Féin minister Mr O’Dowd joined Ulster Unionist Health Minister Mike Nesbitt on a visit to the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick on Tuesday.

Asked about the health of relations within the four-party Executive, Mr O’Dowd said: “Let me put it on record again.

“Sinn Féin have no intentions of bringing down the Executive.

“What Conor (Murphy) was doing was reflecting what is being discussed about in political and media circles, and as an open secret, there are genuine concerns about the behaviour and the stance of the DUP and what direction they are going in, and what impact that’s going to have on the stability of the executive.

“But for Sinn Féin’s part, we’re going to turn up every day.

“We’re going to do everything we can to improve the lives of the citizens we serve, to make a fair and equal society, and continue to drive forward projects.”

Nesbitt said even single-party governments can struggle.

He said: “Look at Labour after they won the general election in 2024, and what’s happened since.

“So, a four-party four-party coalition is a big challenge, and there are challenging times.

“But I have to say, since I first sat at that Executive table in June of 2024, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the level of collegiality that the four parties and the ministers can generate.”

Nesbitt added: “I don’t believe there’s any imminent danger of collapse for the Executive and the Assembly.”