FactCheckNI, Author at FactCheckNI

Religion in NI: Is blasphemy still against the law in Northern Ireland?

On 24 February 2026, Connie Egan, Alliance MLA, submitted an amendment to the Minister of Justice’s Bill to repeal common law offences that criminalise blasphemy in Northern Ireland. In a

Flags in NI: What does the PSNI’s new instruction on removing “harmful” flags mean?

On 16 January 2026, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) published a service instruction: Responding to Complaints about Public Displays. This contained guidance as to how the PSNI should

Why we produce prebunk explainer articles

As well as publishing fact checks, FactCheckNI also produces explainer articles. These pieces help readers understand complex claims, issues and debates that cannot easily be reduced to a simple true

Economy in NI: Has regional inequality doubled since 1998?

In a 26 January Assembly debate about economic trends on the island of Ireland, SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin claimed: “Regional inequality has doubled here since the Good Friday Agreement. That

NI trade:will new EU customs fees apply to NI?

In a Member’s Statement delivered to the NI Assembly on 19 January, UUP MLA Steve Aiken said: “Members may not be aware of European Commission regulations COM/2023/258 final and 2023/0156

Social care in NI: Do the majority of independent employers pay the real living wage?

In a meeting of the NI Assembly Health Committee on 20 November 2025, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, in response to a question about the real Living Wage (RLW) for social

Online safety in NI: Do 99% of pornographic deepfakes depict images of women?

In a 26 January Assembly debate about online safety and violence against women and girls, Alliance Party MLA Connie Egan claimed: “[Every] day, technologies utilising artificial intelligence facilitate online violence

Housing in NI: Have rents in Belfast gone up 50% in half a decade?

In a 12 December article published in the Financial Times, Queen’s University Belfast Economics Professor Richard Ramsey claimed that rents in Belfast had: “Gone up 50% in five years…we have

Economy in NI: Has NI trade with both Great Britain and Ireland increased substantially in recent years?

In a debate in the Assembly on 8 December, Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy claimed: “The Windsor framework has protected our unique dual market access. Businesses here retain the ability

Health in NI: Are Northern Ireland’s breastfeeding rates among the lowest in Europe?

In a press release published on 4 December 2025 about a Private Member’s Bill to support breastfeeding that she is developing, Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon said: “With the north

Mental health in NI: Do one in 20 people aged over 50 suffer from PTSD?

On 6 December 2025, the Sunday Times published an article with the following headline and subheadline: “The Troubles’ lasting scar: 1 in 20 over-50s in NI have PTSD “A new

Employment in NI: Do over 18,000 people regularly cross the border for work?

On 24 November, the Assembly debated a motion noting the latest Joint Census publication covering all of Ireland. The motion was tabled by Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin and included

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Religion in NI: Is blasphemy still against the law in Northern Ireland?

Flags in NI: What does the PSNI’s new instruction on removing “harmful” flags mean?

Why we produce prebunk explainer articles

Economy in NI: Has regional inequality doubled since 1998?

NI trade:will new EU customs fees apply to NI?

Social care in NI: Do the majority of independent employers pay the real living wage?

Online safety in NI: Do 99% of pornographic deepfakes depict images of women?

Housing in NI: Have rents in Belfast gone up 50% in half a decade?

Economy in NI: Has NI trade with both Great Britain and Ireland increased substantially in recent years?

Health in NI: Are Northern Ireland’s breastfeeding rates among the lowest in Europe?

Mental health in NI: Do one in 20 people aged over 50 suffer from PTSD?

Employment in NI: Do over 18,000 people regularly cross the border for work?