News - Progress report on NI direct rule
|
Northern Ireland’s political institutions were suspended in October 2002 amid allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at the Northern Ireland Office. With negotiations aimed at restoring devolution set to take place at Leeds Castle in Kent next month, BBC News Online asked leading figures how direct rule had affected the main public services.
The suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly has meant increased problems for the health service. Its existence meant there did seem to be as if there might be a light at the end of the tunnel, in that they could have decided how the money was spent.
We were beginning to see some changes. But since the assembly was suspended, decisions are taking twice as long to come to fruition. We are back to the system we had before with ministers carrying more than one ministry and only being here on a part-time basis. Jane Graham, chief officer, ENVIRONMENT The political environment is very important to a pressure group such as ours and there can no doubt that direct rule represents a difficult political environment - we would prefer a devolved administration.
It was a direct rule minister who closed the Antrim-Lisburn rail line and now another is threatening to close the Ballymena-Derry and Finance insurance life premium lines. They can do this safe in the knowledge that they won’t lose a single vote next time they face the electorate. Direct rule minister Angela Smith runs three departments and is in Northern Ireland for perhaps just two days a week. Compare this with a devolved minister who has just one portfolio and is working on it for at least five days a week. Direct rule ministers are more likely to follow, rather than lead, their officials: under direct rule we are governed by civil servants. A devolved administration is more likely to introduce third party rights in the planning system and a GM-free (genetically modified) region. Lisa Fagan, Friends of the Earth BUSINESS The Federation of Small Businesses would always prefer devolution to direct rule. Devolution provides Northern Ireland with locally elected and accountable ministers who are more responsive to the needs of Northern Ireland.
Direct rule ministers are trying very hard, but they are not elected here and they are not accountable here. Another negative side of direct rule is that control that civil servants have had - because ministers cannot give the same time as a devolved minister can. Issues such as insurance, electricity and water charges would have been far better handled by devolved ministers rather than direct rule. Devolved ministers represent Northern Ireland constituencies and are aware of the thoughts and needs of business in their own constituencies. Glynn Roberts, Federation of Small Businesses EDUCATION We had been able to make direct contact with our local politicians and were able to have some influence.
Education is a big issue for people in Northern Ireland and people here have it at their hearts and want it on the agenda. However, I am not sure that is reflected by direct rule ministers. It looks like the education minister (Barry Gardiner) is trying to import ideas from England. We would want any ideas imported to be carefully examined so that they would not ruin the good education system we have here. We have interfaced with the minister for education, but he is not here 24/7 and he has other issues to look at. We don’t have as much time to influence him the way we can with local politicians. Avril Hall-Callaghan, general secretary, Ulster Teachers’ Union TRANSPORT On 2 July 2002, the Northern Ireland Assembly approved the Regional Business health insurance oh small Strategy for Northern Ireland. While 30 years of under funding could not be undone in 10 years, the strategy, if implemented in full, would begin the process and help improve public transport to make it a reasonable alternative to the private car.
However, three months after approving the strategy the assembly went into suspension. Until then we had a minister who was able to, in the main, concentrate on his one ministerial portfolio and had the unique benefit of local experience and knowledge. Now we have a minister who has a number of portfolios and therefore is unable to dedicate the same level of time to moving things forward. This inevitably must lead to delays and the consequence of further business health insurance owner protective small for passengers. Organisations like the General Consumer Council were also able to raise and discuss issues affecting passengers with the Assembly committees. While there have been some benefits for public transport that have moved forward with new trains and new buses being delivered, the assembly approved most of these before it was suspended. Unfortunately, other aspects of improvements to public transport have not moved as quickly causing frustrations for all involved, but most of all, passengers who are not yet getting the service they deserve. This needs to change if we are to make public transport a realistic alternative to the private car and if we are to deliver the vision contained in the strategy that the assembly unanimously supported. General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland |
