Is the Northern Ireland Executive dysfunctional?

They say every picture tells a story - it certainly does with the Northern Ireland Executive. As a metaphor for how joined up or otherwise the current crop of ministers at Stormont is, try this - they have never even been photographed together as a group. The media's latest attempt to get a team photo happened on Thursday. After a lot of pleading, Stormont Castle finally relented and agreed to allow a pool cameraman in so broadcasters could get up-to-date shots of the current crop of ministers working together around the executive table. But at the last minute, as he waited outside, he was told it was off because one of the ministers, Naomi Long, was joining remotely and would not be there in person. A spokesman for the justice minister and Alliance leader said: "Whilst others might be more interested in photo ops, Alliance's focus is on delivery around the Executive table. "Despite being unwell on Thursday, Minister Long attended the executive via video link to tend to the business of government." There used to be regular joint news conferences after executive meetings but the last one was on 16 October 2025 - five and a half months ago and rising. "The parties complain that there