Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has described as ‘pathetic’, the response from the Northern Ireland Executive to last week’s vote to leave the European Union.
Lord Empey said:
“When devolution was restored to Stormont in 1998 we all hoped that this would lead to a renewed vigour in our local politics and above all, better and more effective governance for the people.
“By any yardstick, last week's EU vote was a huge event in the life of our Nation. Whatever views were held on the merits or otherwise of continued EU membership, a decision has been taken and must be implemented.
“What has the reaction of our Executive been so far? Up until this morning, it was the ONLY body with responsibilities for a part of the UK that had not met to discuss the implications of the decision, yet it could be argued that it has responsibility for the region most likely to suffer the greatest threats.
“The Westminster Cabinet has met as have the Scottish and Welsh Cabinets. Yet the Northern Ireland Executive waited until today to meet and in the process failed to show any sign of urgency and give its assessment of the situation. This is pathetic and an appalling dereliction of duty.”