Name: ‘United Ireland is an opportunity that must be seized’ - Duffy
Uploaded: 2026-09-11T09:54:32.000Z
Duration: 28 s
Description: The potential benefits of Irish reunification are an opportunity to transform our economy, society and public services for the better, Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy has said. Councillor Duffy was commenting as Derry Sinn Féin launched a new publicity campaign promoting the benefits of a United Ireland.

The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has issued revised uniform guidelines requiring all schools to offer girls the option to wear trousers as part of their uniform, including for PE and Games, with Derry Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy describing the move as ‘an important win for girls’.

The guidelines are legally binding under the School Uniforms Act which came into operation earlier this year.

Councillor Duffy described the decision as a 'welcome but embarrassing u-turn'.

Sandra Duffy said: “This is an important win for girls and for all those who campaigned for this simple choice.

placeholder image — Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy.

"The DUP minister has, up to now, blocked this but Sinn Féin and campaigners kept pushing, and now he’s been forced to concede.

“The Minister had the opportunity to guarantee this right in his own school uniforms legislation but failed to do so. It should not have required further legislation from the Education Committee to force movement on something so basic.

“Girls should have the right to wear trousers to school. It should never have been controversial and it should not have taken this long.

“We welcome that the Minister has finally acted and will be watching closely to ensure he follows through and that girls are not let down.”

Speaking about the change, Paul Givan said: “I have listened carefully over recent months to young people and the message is clear: girls want the choice to wear trousers as part of their school uniform.

“There is always a balance to be struck between the autonomy of schools to determine their uniform policy and the level of prescription in Departmental guidelines. However, this issue really matters to many young people. After careful consideration, I have, therefore acted to remove any uncertainty for pupils, parents and schools.”

The guidelines issued on Friday stipulate that school uniform policies for the 2027/28 school year onwards must include the option for girls to wear trousers throughout the school year, including for PE and Games.

The Minister concluded: “The revised guidelines will guarantee that girls have the option to wear trousers in every school. My Department will continue to engage with and support schools as they implement the new requirements.”