08/10/2010
'Less Is More', Says Robinson - But SF Disagree
The Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson (pictured) has called for the number of MLAs and government departments to be reduced after the Assembly election.
He was speaking to a meeting of the Federation of Small Businesses on Thursday, and said he wanted to see the number of MLA's cut from 108 to 75 and also suggested reducing governmental departments from 12 to 8.
However, there has been a swift assault on his views with Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey tackling the DUP leader as having "continually failed the test, time and again when it comes to streamlining government and cutting red tape".
Mr Maskey said: "The current political structures were put in place to guarantee equality and partnership at the heart of government.
"This was done to ensure that the unionist abuses of the past would never be repeated again.
"Sinn Fein will not countenance tampering with the checks and balances contained within the Good Friday Agreement," he fumed.
"Peter Robinson couched his speech calling for a decrease in departments and MLAs in the language of efficiency.
"Yet in government the DUP have continually failed the test time and again when it comes to streamlining government and cutting red tape.
"Edwin Poots blocked a cut in local councils and savings of up to £450m.
"Mr Robinson talks about cutting quangos yet the DUP have blocked the formation of the ESA which would see an end to the five Education and Library Boards," the MLA continued.
"The DUP are not interested in real savings, not interested in proper efficiencies instead continuing to fight a hopeless rearguard action against the irreversible changes delivered by the Good Friday Agreement."
Mr Maskey's comments have since been reinforced at high level with the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness accusing his 'colleague', the First Minister, Peter Robinson of going on a "solo run" by calling for a cut in government departments and the number of MLAs.
The Ulster Unionist Party Leader Tom Elliott however welcomed the First Minister's call, but has said that it was time for "action rather than grandstanding" and the SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie said she was "not sure of the motives" behind Peter Robinson's proposals.
She said any move to cut the number of departments "must be in the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement".
(BMcC/KMcA)
He was speaking to a meeting of the Federation of Small Businesses on Thursday, and said he wanted to see the number of MLA's cut from 108 to 75 and also suggested reducing governmental departments from 12 to 8.
However, there has been a swift assault on his views with Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey tackling the DUP leader as having "continually failed the test, time and again when it comes to streamlining government and cutting red tape".
Mr Maskey said: "The current political structures were put in place to guarantee equality and partnership at the heart of government.
"This was done to ensure that the unionist abuses of the past would never be repeated again.
"Sinn Fein will not countenance tampering with the checks and balances contained within the Good Friday Agreement," he fumed.
"Peter Robinson couched his speech calling for a decrease in departments and MLAs in the language of efficiency.
"Yet in government the DUP have continually failed the test time and again when it comes to streamlining government and cutting red tape.
"Edwin Poots blocked a cut in local councils and savings of up to £450m.
"Mr Robinson talks about cutting quangos yet the DUP have blocked the formation of the ESA which would see an end to the five Education and Library Boards," the MLA continued.
"The DUP are not interested in real savings, not interested in proper efficiencies instead continuing to fight a hopeless rearguard action against the irreversible changes delivered by the Good Friday Agreement."
Mr Maskey's comments have since been reinforced at high level with the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness accusing his 'colleague', the First Minister, Peter Robinson of going on a "solo run" by calling for a cut in government departments and the number of MLAs.
The Ulster Unionist Party Leader Tom Elliott however welcomed the First Minister's call, but has said that it was time for "action rather than grandstanding" and the SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie said she was "not sure of the motives" behind Peter Robinson's proposals.
She said any move to cut the number of departments "must be in the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement".
(BMcC/KMcA)
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