Ulster Unionist Leader, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, has stated that the flaws highlighted during the debate on the NI Executive (Functions) Bill demonstrate that no lessons have been learnt from RHI.
Mr Aiken said:
“Regrettably today the Assembly passed what is by any reckoning poor and badly thought out legislation. The fact that the Junior Ministers admitted that no changes in planning, which this Bill was supposedly about, can be enacted until the revised ministerial code is brought before the Assembly in either the autumn or early winter, shows that not only was there ample time to give this bill proper consideration, but also that the flaws highlighted in this process re-emphasise that no lessons have been learnt since RHI.
“While we did not manage to defeat the Bill, the fact that some DUP MLAs chose to abstain in person shows the considerable disquiet that there is across much of the Assembly in this process. I fear that the flaws in this Bill could haunt us for many years to come.”