Politics

Stormont assembly chief executive’s £18,000+ bill for trips to Australia, Canada and another to a remote island in the south Atlantic

Lesley Hogg is paid £166K-a-year

Teachers’ unions ‘concerned’ by Department of Education senior staff changes

The Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council said the department’s failure to communicate “high level changes” to sectoral stakeholders was ‘extremely worrying’

Stormont committee urged to probe Mervyn Storey appointment as former watchdog says she would’ve launched an investigation

Three of Stormont’s main parties and the umbrella organisation representing the region’s main teaching unions have voiced concern about Mervyn Storey’s appointment

Ex-public appointments watchdog urges Stormont leaders to appoint her successor amid outcry over Mervyn Storey quango role

There has been no effective oversight of hundreds of quango appointments since 2021

Mary Lou McDonald: People want to be part of the conversation on the future of Ireland, on the shape of constitutional change and how best to navigate the next steps of the journey to reunification

Sinn Féin President speaks as party’s Commission on the Future of Ireland launches its annual report

Israel closes Dublin embassy and accuses government of ‘crossing every red line’

Taoiseach Simon Harris said the decision by Israel is ‘deeply regrettable’

Republic’s new government should begin planning for united Ireland, says Colum Eastwood

The former SDLP leader Mr Eastwood said conversations about a unity referendum had “moved to a different level” since Brexit.

DUP minister urged to explain department personnel changes amid more questions about party colleague’s appointment to £60K Education Authority post

Paul Givan is facing questions about changes at the top of his department and Mervyn Storey’s appointment as a quango chair

‘Serious questions’ after Paul Givan appoints DUP colleague Mervyn Storey to £60K Education Authority post

The former Stormont finance minister lost his assembly seat in 2022 and was appointed to the Education Authority board weeks later

Secretary of state commissions review of Irish Sea border in aftermath of Stormont vote

The post-Brexit trading arrangements will remain in place for a further four years