Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has criticised the First Minister and deputy First Minister over a lack of new equality legislation in Northern Ireland.

Highlighting that no such laws have been passed in 20 years, Ms. Bradshaw argued the delay underscores a pressing need for institutional reform at Stormont.

The comments follow a formal Assembly Question directed to the joint Executive Office (TEO). Ms. Bradshaw noted that while significant legislative updates, such as the Single Equality Act, have been implemented in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland's legal framework has remained stagnant. Paula Bradshaw MLA stated: "The complete absence of equality legislation coming forward from the Executive Office over a period of two decades is a shocking dereliction of duty from the First and deputy First Ministers throughout that time. There are people of voting age who were not alive the last time any equality legislation was passed in Northern Ireland."

The Alliance spokesperson further claimed that the current system of governance is contributing to the legislative backlog. She cited "sectarian vetoes" and frequent institutional collapses as primary barriers to progress.

Ms. Bradshaw added: "It's not just our equality legislation that is outdated, but frankly, so is the system of legislating here itself. With institutional collapse and constant blockages in the Executive, without reform we will only see further inefficiency and delay in advancing legislation. Myself and my Alliance colleagues are determined to ensure that the people of Northern Ireland do not become victims of outdated or absent equality law."

Alliance members have pledged to continue pressing the First and deputy First Minister to prioritise these legislative gaps to ensure Northern Ireland's laws keep pace with neighbouring jurisdictions.