MindWise Policy and Public Affairs Manager Attends Oireachtas Committee on Stormont Reform

Mon, 29 - June - 2026

Earlier this month, MindWise’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Dr Jack Armstrong, appeared as a witness before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, as part of a panel of academics examining potential reforms to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive. This followed on from Jack’s policy report he completed last year through the Emerging Leaders Programme with the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, which can be found here. This was a valuable opportunity to discuss these ideas with members of the Oireachtas Committee, and contribute to the wider discussion around institutional reform.  

The Good Friday Agreement created the structures that have delivered peace in Northern Ireland. But as highlighted during the Committee session by Jack and the other academics, these structures have not always provided stable or effective government. Several lengthy periods without a functioning Assembly and Executive have shown that political instability has real-world consequences, particularly for public services. For MindWise, this relates specifically to mental health outcomes, when the institutions are not functioning, key decisions and reforms to services are delayed, and communities experience uncertainty and reduced support. 

In practical terms, political instability makes it harder to secure sustained funding for mental health services, particularly the kind of long-term investment needed to expand provision and plan effectively for the future. This further limits the opportunity to invest in specific supports such as early intervention for children and young people. Instability also weakens the partnerships that are essential to delivering care. The voluntary and community sector plays a critical role in supporting mental health across Northern Ireland, but without consistent leadership and funding, it can be difficult to move beyond short-term engagement towards the genuine integration of the sector as a valued, strategic power in delivering mental health support. There is also a wider cultural impact. Visible political leadership is an important part of tackling discrimination and stigma around mental health. 

Mental health challenges do not stop at borders. There is a need for shared learning, aligned strategies and coordinated service provision. Stable governance at Stormont is needed in order to achieve a more meaningful collaboration across the island on mental health. That is why it is important to be part of these conversations, not just in Northern Ireland but also with colleagues and policymakers in the Republic of Ireland. Engaging with a wider range of stakeholders allows us to exchange ideas, build relationships and identify practical opportunities for collaboration. 

The engagement with the Oireachtas highlighted the value of bringing academic research into policy discussions on the future of Northern Ireland’s institutions. While this contribution was in an academic capacity, the issues explored closely align with the challenges we see at MindWise, particularly around stability, service delivery and collaboration. It is through these kinds of conversations that we can help ensure reform remains focused on improving outcomes for people and communities. 

Both the video of the Committee meeting, and a written copy, can be found here.