24/04/2024
'Decision Week' For Executive To Agree 2024/25 Budget – UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party has said it is "decision week" for the Executive to agree a new 2024/25 Budget.
Party leader and Upper Bann MLA, Doug Beattie, reiterated his warnings of the damage being inflicted to key services the longer the void in this year's Budget continues.
Mr Beattie said: "The real test of any Government, especially a multi-Party one, is its ability to prepare and agree a budget. Unfortunately, three weeks into a new financial year, there is still as much financial uncertainty now as there was a number of months ago.
"I do not for one moment underestimate the scale of the challenge currently facing the Minister of Finance. Whilst I suspect that she and her officials are working hard to try to find a balanced outcome, ultimately the decision has now moved to the political sphere.
"All Executive Departments have had the opportunity to provide input - now the difficult discussions and decisions must move to the Executive table. I had hoped that a paper could have been discussed last week, but that didn't happen.
"Any further delay this week would be hugely destabilising. We simply cannot afford a prolonged period of uncertainty or political brinkmanship. Many Executive Departments are effectively running on a bare minimum approach, unable to take critical decisions on what services are either possible or even affordable for this remainder of the year.
"The Ulster Unionist Party is going into the process with our eyes wide open. We understand, as we always have, that there's simply not enough money available to make every investment that every Department wishes.
"Yet equally, we know there is some money, and we need to see that allocated urgently in order to just try to maintain some really important core services.
"The health of our population runs much deeper than a political interest – prior to the most recent restoration of the Executive, all Parties agreed that stabilising our health service and tackling huge issues such as our waiting lists were to be considered the priority.
"I sincerely hope in the days ahead that we see progress. Every day that doesn't, the more damage is being inflicted."
Party leader and Upper Bann MLA, Doug Beattie, reiterated his warnings of the damage being inflicted to key services the longer the void in this year's Budget continues.
Mr Beattie said: "The real test of any Government, especially a multi-Party one, is its ability to prepare and agree a budget. Unfortunately, three weeks into a new financial year, there is still as much financial uncertainty now as there was a number of months ago.
"I do not for one moment underestimate the scale of the challenge currently facing the Minister of Finance. Whilst I suspect that she and her officials are working hard to try to find a balanced outcome, ultimately the decision has now moved to the political sphere.
"All Executive Departments have had the opportunity to provide input - now the difficult discussions and decisions must move to the Executive table. I had hoped that a paper could have been discussed last week, but that didn't happen.
"Any further delay this week would be hugely destabilising. We simply cannot afford a prolonged period of uncertainty or political brinkmanship. Many Executive Departments are effectively running on a bare minimum approach, unable to take critical decisions on what services are either possible or even affordable for this remainder of the year.
"The Ulster Unionist Party is going into the process with our eyes wide open. We understand, as we always have, that there's simply not enough money available to make every investment that every Department wishes.
"Yet equally, we know there is some money, and we need to see that allocated urgently in order to just try to maintain some really important core services.
"The health of our population runs much deeper than a political interest – prior to the most recent restoration of the Executive, all Parties agreed that stabilising our health service and tackling huge issues such as our waiting lists were to be considered the priority.
"I sincerely hope in the days ahead that we see progress. Every day that doesn't, the more damage is being inflicted."
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 March 2011
North's Budget Spend 'Agreed'
There have been both winners and losers as a 'final' budget package is presented to a special session of the Stormont Assembly today. The package has also had both backers who favour the harsh economic measures and those who have opposed it - and even voted against the deal.
North's Budget Spend 'Agreed'
There have been both winners and losers as a 'final' budget package is presented to a special session of the Stormont Assembly today. The package has also had both backers who favour the harsh economic measures and those who have opposed it - and even voted against the deal.
28 October 2008
Tax Hit On 'Budget Airline' At Shannon May Boost NI
The Irish Government's controversial airport tax has led budget airline, Ryanair, to cut its passenger numbers through Shannon Airport from two million to a mere 750,000 - and to rekindle interest in expanding services at Northern Ireland airports.
Tax Hit On 'Budget Airline' At Shannon May Boost NI
The Irish Government's controversial airport tax has led budget airline, Ryanair, to cut its passenger numbers through Shannon Airport from two million to a mere 750,000 - and to rekindle interest in expanding services at Northern Ireland airports.
07 December 2011
Stamp Duty Fall Welcomed By Dublin Chamber
The Dublin Chamber has hailed the Budget's reduction in commercial stamp duty, together with other measures to promote stability and demand, as a much-needed stimulus to the moribund commercial property market in Dublin.
Stamp Duty Fall Welcomed By Dublin Chamber
The Dublin Chamber has hailed the Budget's reduction in commercial stamp duty, together with other measures to promote stability and demand, as a much-needed stimulus to the moribund commercial property market in Dublin.
12 April 2011
Union Chief Defends Bulk Payments
Plans for public servants to receive lump sum compensation for loss of earnings if work practices change are being defended by the Public Service Executive Union. The move could see the government face mounting cost for changes brought in under the terms of the Croke Park Agreement.
Union Chief Defends Bulk Payments
Plans for public servants to receive lump sum compensation for loss of earnings if work practices change are being defended by the Public Service Executive Union. The move could see the government face mounting cost for changes brought in under the terms of the Croke Park Agreement.
18 November 2010
'Don't Rush Budget', Says McGuinness
It has emerged that the North's Executive Ministers are to review progress on budget discussions this afternoon - with a report from Stormont's own specialised review committee expected to be presented. Earlier, the First Minister Peter Robinson's insistence on the need for the Executive to agree a budget quickly came in for criticism.
'Don't Rush Budget', Says McGuinness
It has emerged that the North's Executive Ministers are to review progress on budget discussions this afternoon - with a report from Stormont's own specialised review committee expected to be presented. Earlier, the First Minister Peter Robinson's insistence on the need for the Executive to agree a budget quickly came in for criticism.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:This morning will be cloudy with rain, occasionally heavy, spreading southeast. This afternoon will see some bright or sunny spells and a few showers. Freshening northerly winds. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Any showers across northern and eastern counties dying out this evening. Otherwise it will be a dry and cold night with some frost. Light winds. Minimum temperature -1 °C.