The Assembly was dominated today by the sentencing of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, with Members expressing revulsion at his crimes and support for his victims, while also debating the deepening cost-of-living crisis and the fallout from the Garvaghy Road parade dispute. In a Matter of the Day, MLAs from across the chamber paid tribute to the two women whose bravery brought Donaldson to justice, but sharp exchanges exposed political divisions over accountability and leadership.

Linda Dillon (Sinn Féin) opened the debate by calling for lessons to be learned from the case, questioning whether safeguards failed and urging the DUP and UUP to publish their internal reviews. She said: 'The identity of the abuser should not remove that right' to anonymity, and demanded answers on 'the wider issue about the abuse of position, trust and power.' Timothy Gaston (TUV) used his remarks to attack the DUP's deal to restore Stormont, calling it 'a tissue of lies and monumental deceit', while Jonathan Buckley (DUP) accused Sinn Féin and TUV of using victims' experiences 'to further their political ends'.

Later, during Question Time, First Minister Michelle O'Neill was challenged repeatedly over her participation in the illegal protest on the Garvaghy Road. DUP and TUV MLAs accused her of breaking the law and breaching the ministerial pledge, citing the cost of policing the dispute now exceeding £5.5 million. O'Neill defended her actions, saying she was 'proud to stand with the people of the Garvaghy Road' and accused unionists of living in the past. Justice Minister Naomi Long confirmed that the PSNI cannot meet the cost of mutual aid from its existing budget and called for the NIO to foot the bill.

The cost-of-living crisis was the focus of private members' business, with Mark Durkan (SDLP) leading a debate calling for an Executive Budget and a package of measures to alleviate pressures on households. He highlighted soaring energy, food and rent costs, saying: 'Working hard is no longer a guarantee that a family can afford even the basics in life.' He criticised delays in public-sector pay awards and the increase in school meal costs. The debate was suspended for Question Time and was set to resume later.

In other business, the Assembly approved the extension of live links for courts and tribunals until March 2027, with Justice Minister Naomi Long noting the severe backlog in court cases, partly caused by the Criminal Bar Association withdrawal. She also announced a joint review with the Health Minister into trials of the facts, with terms of reference to be published this week. MLAs also heard concerns about maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital, threatening emails sent to schools, and the regulation of the incredABLE charity.

The Executive Office faced scrutiny over the lack of an agreed Budget, with First Minister O'Neill insisting discussions with the British Government are ongoing and that the proposed funding is 'insufficient' to cover public-sector pay and public services. She said: 'We ask not for preferential treatment but for fairness.' Members also raised the implementation of the armed forces covenant, with O'Neill stating there will never be Executive agreement on the matter, drawing criticism from unionist benches.