UUP OUTLINES ITS POSITION ON PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT
Ulster Unionist Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA and Member of the OFM/DFM Committee Tom Elliott today outlined the UUP position on the Programme for Government.
Mr Elliott said the Party was seeking support for an amendment which calls on the Executive to ensure ongoing review of the Programme for Government and subsequent necessary revision. He said this was vital to ensure proper levels of democratic accountability.
In a statement Mr Elliott said,
“The Ulster Unionist Party is seeking to ensure that proper democratic accountability exists within the framework of the Programme for Government. In simple terms this means that Executive Ministers will have to report back on implementation and delivery.
There are as many flaws in the Programme for Government as there are benefits and MLAs need to be in a position to hold Ministers to account, push for change and ensure that the Programme is delivered as efficiently as possible.
We will support the Programme for Government on the basis that we need one in order to move things forward in Northern Ireland. We will support the Programme for Government with the caveat that the Ulster Unionist Party is not behoven to it lock, stock and two smoking barrels, but that it is a work in progress, responsive, subject to change if needs be, and fully open to democratic scrutiny by the Assembly.”