A review on streamlining Stormont is moving at a snail’s pace, an MLA claimed today.
Gregory Campbell was among a number of politicians who expressed frustration at the lack of agreement on a reduction in the number of government departments.
The DUP MLA for East Londonderry said: “At this rate it will be 2050 by the time we get to the point that most people out there want us to get to.”
During a debate in the Assembly, it was revealed that after 23 meetings of the Assembly Executive Review Committee (AERC) - which was set up to look at restructuring the institutions - politicians have still not settled on a way forward.
Mr Campbell said: “There were well over 20 meetings and people were asked to put forward their proposals.
“Time after time after time after time after endless time, we put forward our proposals. One party didn’t: Sinn Fein didn’t. They did not elaborate or expand on any of their views.
“When people look at this report and look at the 23 meetings or whatever it was they will be saying ‘can we not have a bit more than just commonality?’.
“Let’s get some sort of agreement on cost-effective, efficient systems of government here just as everyone else has to have outside.”
At present, there are 12 government departments at Stormont. Eleven were set up under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. The devolution of policing powers in 2010 created an additional Justice Department.
Previously, Finance Minister Sammy Wilson said tens of millions of pounds could be saved every year if the number of departments was slashed to six.
Among the suggestions put forward in the AERC interim report was the development of a dedicated economy department and one for energy/sustainability.
Sinn Fein’s Raymond McCartney described the idea that cutting departments would save money as “spurious”.
The Foyle MLA said: “We will be guided and steered by the principles of inclusiveness and representativeness.
“The decisions will be taken at the right and appropriate time.
“Throughout the 23 meetings the reality is not once we were told that lesser departments meant lesser money to be spent and better value for money.
“So, this sort of idea or intention that if you reduce the number of departments was not backed up.”
A report on the future of Stormont has to be presented to the Northern Ireland Secretary of State by 2015.
Although it does not provide recommendations, the interim document does include the positions of the five main parties; five areas of commonality that could inform any future re-organisation as well as six principles that could underpin the arrangements.
Further notes on costs, savings and the impact on employment and equality which would be used for consideration in advance on any decision on streamline are also detailed.
SDLP MLA Conall McDevitt said: “This isn’t about the numbers. It is about a series of departments that better meet the needs of people in Northern Ireland than our current departments do.
“We shouldn’t run away from having opinions. People have basically exercised a right to silence. That may be something you want to engage in in the criminal justice system, but in the parliamentary democracy it just doesn’t stand up to credible scrutiny.”
The Alliance Party said it agreed that eight departments would be adequate but Stewart Dickson said it should be tied to a reduction in the number of MLAs.
Meanwhile, Traditional Unionist Voice MLA Jim Allister, who describes himself as a one-man opposition at Stormont, said Sinn Fein were dragging their feet on the issue and described the report as “farcical”.