Ulster Unionist Finance spokesperson Leslie Cree has highlighted a number of issues in the Stormont debate on the Spring Supplementary Estimates and concluded that many departments are incapable of managing their finances.
Speaking in the Assembly today, North Down representative Mr Cree said:
“Last year I referred to the review of the financial process which was promoted by the Committee for Finance and personnel and agreed by the Minister’s Department and this House.
“The matter has been under discussion for several years and it is a great disappointment to me that the issue has not been progressed by the Executive. Everyone agrees that the existing process is inadequate and does not provide direct read across. It is well past its sell by date and needs to be clearer and more user- friendly.
“Lots of questions remain. The fact remains that three years into the budgetary process, many departments are incapable of managing their finances.”