Given the news that over 160 decisions cannot be made without Northern Ireland Executive Ministerial approval, the Ulster Unionist Leader, Robin Swann MLA, has called for direct rule now.
Robin Swann MLA said:
"The fact that over 160 decisions are now outstanding because they need ministerial approval is a stark reminder of what is happening in Northern Ireland. In the absence of political decision making, government is grinding to a halt. These are decisions which should be made, could be made and now need to be made. It is having a direct and punitive impact on the people of Northern Ireland.
“There is now a huge onus on the Secretary of State, Karen Bradley MP and Her Majesty`s Government to ensure that we are not treated as second class citizens in our own country because of the inability of the two largest parties to reach agreement on the restoration of devolution.
“There is never a perfect time to start talks and we certainly can`t wait until Brexit has been completed. If the Secretary of State believes that there is no prospect of restoring devolution in the short-term, then she must step in and appoint direct rule ministers.
“I understand that the government are loath to bring in direct rule because of the potential political implications and the anticipated over-reaction of Sinn Fein threatening long term political paralysis unless all their terms are acceded to. What they should be asking themselves is what comes first – the political sensitivities of parties who place ideology above all else, or the wellbeing of our people?
“If the Secretary of State is unable to begin an all-party talks process in the immediate future, then the government should move immediately to appoint direct rule ministers. The people of Northern Ireland should not be used as pawns in the continued political stalemate where Sinn Fein are engaged in a face-off with the DUP. Karen Bradley MP wouldn`t stand for it in her own constituency, so I don`t see why the people of Northern Ireland should have to stand for it either.
“We have the highest rate of suicide per head of population in the UK, yet we have a Suicide Prevention Strategy sitting on the shelf, parents are donating toilet rolls to schools because of struggling budgets and only last week we learned that the grieving parents of deceased infants will be forced to endure the prospect of their children`s remains being transported to England for post-mortems. What will it take for the Secretary of State to act? In the absence of progress, it has to be direct rule now.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors: