Menu
13/11/2017
Secretary Of State To Legislate Budget For NI
Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire is to legislate for a budget at Westminster today, 13 November.
He said that the civil service will run out of money if a budget is not set by November.
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said: "This is British Direct Rule delivered by the DUP and Sinn Féin.
"Almost a year ago, standing shoulder to shoulder in the Executive, the DUP and Sinn Féin promised the public they would not abandon the North to British Direct Rule. Today they have broken that promise.
"After previously conspiring to hand over all of our powers on welfare, it seems that the DUP and Sinn Féin are intent on handing the British Government back full control over our lives. The DUP and Sinn Féin are allowing the British Government to take back control.
"It is clear from the meetings the SDLP has had with the Secretary of State this budget was based on the direction of travel from the previous Executive. It is Sinn Féin former Finance Minister Mairtín Ó Muilleoir’s budget. The budget he failed to set when he was Minister. The budget that will leave the North frozen in failure. With no ambition and no creative thinking on how we take our society forward.
"While public services may 'tick over', in reality they are just standing still. At a time when government here should be working to deliver an ambitious programme for government that protects the North from Brexit and crisis, the DUP and Sinn Féin have abdicated all responsibility.
"It is a dark day, particularly for those who worked hard to see power in the hands of Irish people. Those who promised they would not abandon us to direct rule – have abandoned us to British direct rule."
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MLA said: "Alliance is a firm supporter of power-sharing devolution. Local decision-making and accountability are crucial to ensuring this region can realise its full potential. While we cannot welcome this intervention from the Secretary of State and the UK Parliament, we recognise in the present circumstances there is no alternative.
"The Budget is essential to ensure the full drawdown of resources for public services and to provide the legal authority to spend. It is too late in the year to reconsider details, but this Budget does not reflect Alliance priorities nor is it sufficiently strategic. We would be doing things very differently.
"But passing a budget doesn't address the governance gap. Therefore, these scarce resources cannot be spent efficiently and effectively, and key reforms cannot be progressed. Already the 18/19 Financial Year is set to be challenging, and the waste and delay from this year will only serve to make the next Budget even more difficult."
Sinn Féin Leader in the North Michelle O'Neill commented: "The British Secretary of State will today move to introduce a budget to finance public services here. This is an acknowledgement by the British Government that agreement has not been possible.
"The reason for this is the DUP opposition to a rights-based society. While some progress was made, the denial of rights would not be tolerated in Dublin and London and should not be tolerated here. We met the DUP this morning and told them this.
"Since March of this year Sinn Féin has been seeking agreement on the implementation of outstanding commitments as a basis for restoring public trust and confidence in the institutions.
"Sinn Féin were flexible, we were willing to stretch ourselves to achieve a breakthrough and we were right to do so.
"The DUP's resistance to the implementation of previous agreements and particularly rights available everywhere else in these islands means that there is not a locally-elected Executive to take decisions.
"The British government has been complicit in this, backing the DUP's refusal to honour the commitments previously made and blocking the delivery of equality.
"Theresa May has prioritised her own electoral survival via the Tory/DUP pact over the interest of all of the people in the North.
"This is compounded by the DUP's refusal to accept the vote in the North to reject Brexit. The DUP are committed to the North being dragged out of the EU against the will and the interests of people here.
"Last Friday we told the British PM that direct rule is not an option.
"In the absence of the Assembly and Executive the choice for both governments is between the protection of the Good Friday Agreement or its abandonment.
"These issues aren't going away. It is now the responsibility of the two governments to look to the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement and for a British-Irish intergovernmental conference to meet as soon as possible."
(CD/JP)
He said that the civil service will run out of money if a budget is not set by November.
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said: "This is British Direct Rule delivered by the DUP and Sinn Féin.
"Almost a year ago, standing shoulder to shoulder in the Executive, the DUP and Sinn Féin promised the public they would not abandon the North to British Direct Rule. Today they have broken that promise.
"After previously conspiring to hand over all of our powers on welfare, it seems that the DUP and Sinn Féin are intent on handing the British Government back full control over our lives. The DUP and Sinn Féin are allowing the British Government to take back control.
"It is clear from the meetings the SDLP has had with the Secretary of State this budget was based on the direction of travel from the previous Executive. It is Sinn Féin former Finance Minister Mairtín Ó Muilleoir’s budget. The budget he failed to set when he was Minister. The budget that will leave the North frozen in failure. With no ambition and no creative thinking on how we take our society forward.
"While public services may 'tick over', in reality they are just standing still. At a time when government here should be working to deliver an ambitious programme for government that protects the North from Brexit and crisis, the DUP and Sinn Féin have abdicated all responsibility.
"It is a dark day, particularly for those who worked hard to see power in the hands of Irish people. Those who promised they would not abandon us to direct rule – have abandoned us to British direct rule."
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MLA said: "Alliance is a firm supporter of power-sharing devolution. Local decision-making and accountability are crucial to ensuring this region can realise its full potential. While we cannot welcome this intervention from the Secretary of State and the UK Parliament, we recognise in the present circumstances there is no alternative.
"The Budget is essential to ensure the full drawdown of resources for public services and to provide the legal authority to spend. It is too late in the year to reconsider details, but this Budget does not reflect Alliance priorities nor is it sufficiently strategic. We would be doing things very differently.
"But passing a budget doesn't address the governance gap. Therefore, these scarce resources cannot be spent efficiently and effectively, and key reforms cannot be progressed. Already the 18/19 Financial Year is set to be challenging, and the waste and delay from this year will only serve to make the next Budget even more difficult."
Sinn Féin Leader in the North Michelle O'Neill commented: "The British Secretary of State will today move to introduce a budget to finance public services here. This is an acknowledgement by the British Government that agreement has not been possible.
"The reason for this is the DUP opposition to a rights-based society. While some progress was made, the denial of rights would not be tolerated in Dublin and London and should not be tolerated here. We met the DUP this morning and told them this.
"Since March of this year Sinn Féin has been seeking agreement on the implementation of outstanding commitments as a basis for restoring public trust and confidence in the institutions.
"Sinn Féin were flexible, we were willing to stretch ourselves to achieve a breakthrough and we were right to do so.
"The DUP's resistance to the implementation of previous agreements and particularly rights available everywhere else in these islands means that there is not a locally-elected Executive to take decisions.
"The British government has been complicit in this, backing the DUP's refusal to honour the commitments previously made and blocking the delivery of equality.
"Theresa May has prioritised her own electoral survival via the Tory/DUP pact over the interest of all of the people in the North.
"This is compounded by the DUP's refusal to accept the vote in the North to reject Brexit. The DUP are committed to the North being dragged out of the EU against the will and the interests of people here.
"Last Friday we told the British PM that direct rule is not an option.
"In the absence of the Assembly and Executive the choice for both governments is between the protection of the Good Friday Agreement or its abandonment.
"These issues aren't going away. It is now the responsibility of the two governments to look to the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement and for a British-Irish intergovernmental conference to meet as soon as possible."
(CD/JP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 November 2024
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
09 March 2018
Secretary Of State Unveils £12bn Budget
The Secretary of State has unveiled a £12 billion Westminster spending plan for Northern Ireland. Karen Bradley made the announcement as NI has been without an Executive for over a year. The budget includes £410 million of the £1bn secured by the DUP as part of its confidence and supply agreement.
Secretary Of State Unveils £12bn Budget
The Secretary of State has unveiled a £12 billion Westminster spending plan for Northern Ireland. Karen Bradley made the announcement as NI has been without an Executive for over a year. The budget includes £410 million of the £1bn secured by the DUP as part of its confidence and supply agreement.
21 November 2024
Public Consultation On Decriminalising Rough Sleeping And Begging
The public is invited to share their opinions on proposals to decriminalise rough sleeping and begging in Northern Ireland. Justice Minister Naomi Long has launched a consultation on the repeal of Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 and Section 3 of the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847.
Public Consultation On Decriminalising Rough Sleeping And Begging
The public is invited to share their opinions on proposals to decriminalise rough sleeping and begging in Northern Ireland. Justice Minister Naomi Long has launched a consultation on the repeal of Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 and Section 3 of the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847.
19 November 2024
BCC Launches Public Consultation On £100m Belfast Stories Project
Belfast City Council has today launched a public consultation on the ambitious £100 million Belfast Stories project. The initiative aims to transform the former Bank of Ireland building and surrounding site into a major public space, visitor attraction, and creative hub.
BCC Launches Public Consultation On £100m Belfast Stories Project
Belfast City Council has today launched a public consultation on the ambitious £100 million Belfast Stories project. The initiative aims to transform the former Bank of Ireland building and surrounding site into a major public space, visitor attraction, and creative hub.
20 July 2017
Brokenshire Allocates Budget Funds
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has allocated budget funds as an interim measure after parties failed to reach an agreement to restore power sharing. Mr James Brokenshire also said he did not want to bring a formal budget forward himself. He said: "What I am announcing to Parliament is by no means a solution for the long-term.
Brokenshire Allocates Budget Funds
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has allocated budget funds as an interim measure after parties failed to reach an agreement to restore power sharing. Mr James Brokenshire also said he did not want to bring a formal budget forward himself. He said: "What I am announcing to Parliament is by no means a solution for the long-term.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
