Ulster Unionist Leader Robin Swann MLA, has called on the Secretary of State to legislate for a budget for Northern Ireland and to make clear that Sinn Fein will not be allowed to set the political agenda or dictate terms.    

Mr Swann said:

“This is abuse by Sinn Fein pure and simple. It is abuse of power and an abuse of their mandate.

“This is ten and a half years of failure. The reality is that Sinn Fein and the DUP couldn`t agree in government, and they can`t agree outside government either.

“This process has excluded every other Party. Can anyone really be surprised that we are where we are?

“I heard what Michelle O`Neill had to say. Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein should be very clear that they will not be allowed to hold this country to ransom or to dictate the agenda. If Northern Ireland needs a budget, then the Secretary of State should legislate for it, no matter what Gerry Adams says.

“It is time to look at alternatives and see what options remain as to how to get government back up and running again. One such option is voluntary coalition.

“In all of the political posturing we must never forget that people – real people - are on waiting lists, in pain, in distress and in need of our help. People are coming to harm and this cannot be allowed to continue.

“This impasse isn`t about rights. This is about Sinn Fein demands. Sinn Fein are incapable of distinguishing between the two.

“I have heard the hypocrisy from Gerry Adams. He claims to want a rights based society. Yet when it comes to rights, Sinn Fein’s track record is there for all to see. They refused to even nominate somebody to the Covenant Reference Group, they voted against the removal of the teacher exemption and Adams even had the gall to say that there should be no prosecution of the murderers of Tom Oliver.

“They should be ashamed to speak of rights, but instead they are offended by everything and embarrassed by nothing.”