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24/09/2002
Coulter urges trimming down at First Minister's office
During Question time in the Assembly yesterday, Rev Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Assembly member for North Antrim, suggested that the Office of the First Minister should be "slimmed down".
The Rev. Coulter said that this would allow the office to "concentrate on its all-important task of co-ordinating government".
In reply Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan conceded that it was conceivable some of these functions might be assigned to other departments in any review.
However, he stressed that the functions and the jobs with them would not disappear. They had been there before the Office of the First Minister was created and would remain.
Commenting on this reply Rev Robert Coulter said: " The prime task of the Assembly is to provide Northern Ireland with the most cost-effective government it can.
"I want to see the functions of government coming under constant review to see that the public are getting the best value for money. I welcome the first rate job the Public Accounts Committee has done, under the leadership of my Ulster Unionist Colleague Billy Bell MLA, in rooting out inefficiencies.
"Delivering good government is what Stormont is all about after years of direct rule neglect."
Earlier this year a report from a think-tank on devolution in Northern Ireland revealed how the growing responsibility of Stormont's power-sharing executive has been accompanied by a burgeoning staff role at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
The report by Democratic Dialogue revealed that the office employed 424 staff - more people than Downing Street and the Taoiseach's department combined, and only 80 people less than the Presidential staff in the US White House.
Despite one of smallest budgets of the 10 executive departments, the OFMDFM was allocated £14.5 million for 2002/2003, the manning level has been defended. A spokesperson said that office does much more than support David Trimble and Mark Durkan, and plays a much wider role in the governance of the province.
(SP)
The Rev. Coulter said that this would allow the office to "concentrate on its all-important task of co-ordinating government".
In reply Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan conceded that it was conceivable some of these functions might be assigned to other departments in any review.
However, he stressed that the functions and the jobs with them would not disappear. They had been there before the Office of the First Minister was created and would remain.
Commenting on this reply Rev Robert Coulter said: " The prime task of the Assembly is to provide Northern Ireland with the most cost-effective government it can.
"I want to see the functions of government coming under constant review to see that the public are getting the best value for money. I welcome the first rate job the Public Accounts Committee has done, under the leadership of my Ulster Unionist Colleague Billy Bell MLA, in rooting out inefficiencies.
"Delivering good government is what Stormont is all about after years of direct rule neglect."
Earlier this year a report from a think-tank on devolution in Northern Ireland revealed how the growing responsibility of Stormont's power-sharing executive has been accompanied by a burgeoning staff role at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
The report by Democratic Dialogue revealed that the office employed 424 staff - more people than Downing Street and the Taoiseach's department combined, and only 80 people less than the Presidential staff in the US White House.
Despite one of smallest budgets of the 10 executive departments, the OFMDFM was allocated £14.5 million for 2002/2003, the manning level has been defended. A spokesperson said that office does much more than support David Trimble and Mark Durkan, and plays a much wider role in the governance of the province.
(SP)
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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.
