Máirtín Ó Muilleoir
South Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Go raibh maith agat as an cheist sin. I think it must. I followed the Public Accounts Committee under my colleague Mr Swann, and I read the devastating October hearing when Ofgem appeared.”
“While the areas it will investigate will be wide-ranging, it will necessarily include key areas in which there has been huge public interest, including the development and roll-out of the RHI scheme by the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment; the signing off of the scheme by the then Department of Finance and Personnel; th…”
“I thank Mr Clarke for that question. I know that Mr Clarke was at the PAC hearing that Robin Swann had the wonderful occasion to chair. I would have paid money to attend that because it was certainly a difficult session for the PAC.”
“In relation to the question asked, I want to speak in particular of the seven months that I have been in the Department of Finance. I have been deeply impressed by the commitment, diligence and alertness of my officials to the RHI scandal. I mentioned previously alerting the Comptroller and Auditor General.”
“Ba mhaith liom buíochas a thabhairt don Chomhalta as an cheist sin. I think that any inquiry will ask what went wrong, where it went wrong, who was accountable and what happened. In that context, I am totally convinced that the decision to involve Ofgem in the RHI scheme was a major mistake. Ofgem has failed.”
“Therefore, I wish to reassure the public by setting out the steps that I think must be taken to ensure absolute openness and transparency. The arrangements I have detailed in this statement are intended to ensure this.”
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“I agree with the Member. He has waged a strong campaign for our universities for many years and continues to do so. I have met Mr Johnston of Queen's University and Mr Nixon of Ulster University, I have been on the Ulster University campus in Derry, and I was at St Mary's University College recently. The message from the universities is that this uncertainty is about much more than money, and you may have noted that one of the most eminent lecturers in Queen's University spoke about this last week. Researchers and scientists, by their very nature, thrive on collaboration, need international networks and look outwards. I agree with the Member that, for many people, what is being proposed in a Brexit is looking inwards and cutting off those links.”
“In my Department, we have a special group that meets on the issue. The related issues are the European Investment Bank, and the Member will know that I visited Luxembourg to meet Jonathan Taylor, the vice president, to ask that it not only stand over the loan offers that have been made — for example, to housing associations and universities — but continue lending to some of the strong projects that are coming forward here. I am pleased to say that he has made that commitment, and, in fact, at a time when we needed good news, the European Investment Bank has committed to making available a framework facility loan for the 11 councils of up to £200 million.”
“Mr Smith mentioned the loss of tens of millions of euro, but hundreds of millions of euro are at risk because, by the autumn statement on 23 November, there is no way under heaven and earth that all letters of offer could be received, agreed to and contracts issued. Despite that fact, I am hopeful that, if we speak with one voice and with Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness at negotiations and the Irish Government on the other side of the table, hopefully representing our interests as well, we can obtain many hundreds of millions more. The money is certainly at risk, but, with a joint, coordinated effort and a strong strategy, we can receive that. <BR /> <BR />For the information of the Member, all Departments feed into a research and information group, which is collating information about the effects of the EU referendum fallout.”
“Despite the fact that the two big parties in the Executive are divided by "Remain" and "Leave", we have a common purpose in trying to ensure that we access all the funding that we had hoped was coming in our direction. To that end, I have met with the Minister of Finance in Scotland, Mr Mackay, and the Minister of Finance in Cardiff, Mr Drakeford, to try to have a common approach on this issue, because when we speak for 10 million people, it has much more impact with the Treasury. I have also been in touch with Mr Hammond and Mr Gauke, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to make a strong case for a better deal than that offered by Mr Hammond to date.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Chomhalta. I thank the Member for her question. Philip Smith was concerned that I am here. I do not want to elevate myself and speak on behalf of the whole Executive, but I will certainly speak on behalf of my Department and tell you what we have been doing. We have worked since day one; indeed, we were doing so before that. For some reason, your questions have not managed to reveal that we did have contingency planning in the Department of Finance and worked through the options before the vote. Of course, I was only in this post on 25 May, but we did that work, and an important piece of modelling was done by the Department for the Economy, as well. <BR /> <BR />We have been working, since the hours immediately after the vote, to ensure that we do not lose out, and the record will show that.”
“So, the children and young people programme has been delayed, pending resolution of two outstanding issues: ensuring that young people can retain benefits entitlement while participating in the programme; and ensuring that legislative powers are in place for an appropriate Department to be accountable for the funding. <BR /> <BR />I wanted to read that into the record as I know that many Members are concerned about this particular issue. I assure them that we meet each week as a special team on EU funding and this is the top priority on the agenda.”
“As a result, the final Peace IV programme, agreed by the Executive, the Irish Government and the European Commission, incorporates a phased approach to the delivery of a cross-border youth initiative aligned with the good relations elements of United Youth. In phase 1, that would deliver a €17 million programme for 3,400 young people. Subject to a positive evaluation of phase 1 in early 2018 — I think that Members will understand how it starts getting difficult — a second phase of €20 million would be supported. <BR /> <BR />The European Commission dictated that the original concept of United Youth as an integrated employability, good relations, personal development and citizen programme, funded from Peace IV and the European social fund, could not be delivered.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Chomhalta, as an ráiteas sin. I want to put on record that some areas of Peace funding are of particular concern, one of which is the allocation for children and young people. It is absolutely essential that we get this right, because €50 million was allocated in this area. <BR /> <BR />In September 2014, the Executive gave approval to submit a draft Peace IV programme to the European Commission, on the condition that €50 million was available within the children and young people sub-theme. During the negotiations, issues were raised by the Irish Government about the capacity to absorb that funding.”
“The universities did very well. My message to Mr Hammond — we will be meeting soon on this issue — which is echoed by our colleagues in Cardiff and Edinburgh, is that we should get the same deal as he gave universities on research. He said that a letter of offer issued at any point up until Brexit, if it happens, will be honoured. If he gives us that guarantee for all the funding that we seek, it will make a real difference in giving people certainty.”
“I met Mr David Davis, the self-styled or so-called Minister for Brexit, and there is still a huge uncertainty coming out of Westminster on how they will deal with EU funding. I welcome the fact that any letters of offer issued before 23 November will be honoured, but Mr Hammond did not go far enough because that still leaves £300 million at risk in Peace and INTERREG. Regarding ERDF funding, he has not guaranteed that moneys not allocated by the autumn statement will be delivered. That puts around €300 million in this case at risk as well.”
“I am not going to rise to the political debate on this occasion; there will be another time for that. The point that the Member makes is important. Many groups who apply for Peace or INTERREG funding — Peace funding in particular — paused, hesitated, held back and thought that, perhaps, they should not apply, that perhaps their applications would fall, or, for example, that money would be guaranteed only up until end of 2019. Departments and I have been urging people to make sure that not only are applications put in but they are put in today and more speedily than was the case before. <BR /> <BR />In relation to Mr Hammond's commitment, I think he did not go far enough.”
“I want to see the councils as full partners and that they realise all of the funding that we would like them to receive under these programmes.”
“They got a head start on the Peace programme but just last week, on 7 and 8 September, they met and were able to allocate €124 million of funding to vital cross-border projects including transnational programmes and some absolutely key projects in our universities. <BR /> <BR />To the councils and other bodies that are applying for Peace funding in particular, it is time to double down and match the enthusiasm and energy that I have seen in my Department and among top civil servants in trying to maximise, protect and safeguard EU funding. It is time to double down and for everyone else to step up to the plate. I will be meeting the councils shortly. I say to them that the applications to date have not been fully satisfactory.”
“I thank the Member, and I know he will get used to seeing me in this position for a long time. I hope he keeps his position as well. Despite the noise offstage, the Executive have been tremendously focused, as have our partners in Scotland and Wales, on ensuring that every cent, every penny that our people are due from Europe under the many programmes come to us. Of course my responsibility is for Peace and INTERREG, but I know that I speak for my fellow Ministers in Agriculture, Economy, and Infrastructure. The money is essential, not only for underpinning peace but for building a prosperous and inclusive future. <BR /> <BR />I will also say, in praise of the INTERREG steering panels, that they have done tremendous work and shown great leadership.”
“<BR /> <BR />In closing, the Council approved the appointment of Barra Ó Muirí — fear uasal — to the board of Foras na Gaeilge, the North/South language body, with effect from 7 July 2016 until 12 December 2016. The Council agreed to hold its next special EU programmes meeting in autumn 2016.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council was advised that the North was also successful in securing an additional £8·9m through 53 projects from INTERREG IVa transnational and interregional competitive funding programmes in the 2007-2013 funding period. For the 2014-2020 programmes, 18 projects have been approved to date, with a value of €4m. Remaining project calls and assessment will continue for the programmes during 2016 and 2017. The Council noted that both the draft 2017 SEUPB business plan and the 2017-19 corporate plan are currently being prepared by the SEUPB with a view to obtaining sponsor Department and NSMC approval by the end of this year. The annual accounts for 2015 received an unqualified audit opinion from the Comptrollers and Auditors General and will be laid before the Assembly and both Houses of the Oireachtas in due course.”
“Four elements of the 2014-2020 Peace IV programme — shared education, building positive relations through regional projects, local authority action plans and the victims and survivors element of shared spaces and services — had opened for project applications. Two stage-1 meetings had been held, advancing five projects to stage 2. <BR /> <BR />The PEACE III programme, for 2007-2013, had provided funding to 215 projects with a commitment level of 99%. The INTERREG IVa programme for the same period funded 88 projects, committing 101·5% of its allocation. Closure is now being undertaken for both the Peace III and INTERREG IVa programmes by the SEUPB.”
“She updated the Council on progress since the previous special EU programmes sectoral meeting, in December of last year. Following the result of the EU referendum, the SEUPB noted that it would work closely with my Department and with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to address the issues arising, particularly its impact on EU programme implementation and spend. <BR /> <BR />The chief executive reported that all INTERREG Va programme themes for 2014-2020 have opened for calls: research and innovation, environment, sustainable transport and health. Eight stage-1 steering committee meetings had been held, progressing 38 projects to stage 2.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council noted that the two sponsor Departments are currently considering proposals relating to the governance structures and reporting arrangements in place for the Special EU Programmes Body and will report back at a future meeting. An excellent presentation was provided by the INTERREG IVa higher attainment through cross-border hubs (HATCH) project. This initiative received €1 million in funding and was designed to support SMEs in the construction and engineering sectors, to maximise the economic contribution of the migrant workforce and to encourage female entrepreneurs. <BR /> <BR />As this was the first meeting in SEUPB sectoral format for all Ministers attending, the chief executive of the Special EU Programmes Body, Gina McIntyre, provided a high-level overview of its work and its forward plans.”
“<BR /> <BR />We had a broad discussion on the implications of the EU referendum and reiterated the joint commitment of the Executive and Irish Government to work together to ensure that our interests are protected and advanced and that the benefits of North/South cooperation are fully recognised in any new arrangements that emerge as regards the future relationship with the European Union. We also reiterated the recent NSMC plenary commitment to the successful implementation of the Peace and INTERREG programmes and agreed to consider the issue of securing the European regional development fund (ERDF) funding for Peace and INTERREG, including through engagement with the European Commission.”
“<BR /> <BR />In compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I wish to make the following statement on the nineteenth meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in special EU programmes sectoral format, which was held in Dublin in the offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Friday 7 July 2016. As Minister of Finance, I represented the Executive and was accompanied by junior Minister Ross. The Irish Government were represented by Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.”
“Faoi réir alt 52 de Acht Thuaisceart Éireann 1998, is mian liom an ráiteas seo a leanas a thabhairt ar an naoú cruinniú déag de chuid na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas i bhformáid earnála an Aontais Eorpaigh, a reachtáladh i mBaile Átha Cliath in oifigí na Roinne Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála dé hAoine 7 Iúil 2016. <BR /> <BR />Mar Aire Airgeadais, is mise a rinne ionadaíocht don Choiste Feidhmiúcháin, agus bhí an tAire sóisearach Ross in éineacht liom. Ba é Paschal Donohoe TD, an tAire Caitechais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe, a rinne ionadaíocht do Rialtas na hÉireann.”
“Deas a bheith ar ais. It is nice to be back at school, Mr Speaker, and I look forward to your Christmas report card. Before I start my formal statement, I put on record our thanks to Frank Duffy, who heads our European unit at the Department, and Gina McIntyre, who heads up the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB). They have been doing Trojan work to try to speed up the process of dealing with all the European bids.”
“As I outlined in my opening speech, the decisions that we as an Administration take have wide-ranging and long-term consequences for everyone in this state. I hope that all Members will keep that in mind and do what is right for the people we serve. On that note, I commend to Members the Budget.”
“Agriculture has received £200 million; Communities, £820 million; Economy, £814 million; Education, £2 billion; Finance, £141 million; Health, £4·7 billion; Infrastructure, £372 million; Justice, £1 billion; and the Executive Office, £62 million, with the vast majority of that to be redistributed to other organisations. I believe that I present to the House a Budget that will meet our needs in the time ahead, even in this time of crisis and economic peril. <BR /> <BR />If I missed any Members or questions, I will be happy to address them if they write to me. Ba mhaith an óráid a chríochnú. I will bring my remarks to a close. I believe that the Budget Bill is essential to provide our Departments with the legislative cover they need.”
“In that respect, and to finish with Mr McGrath's comments, is Brexit helpful to that? I will let you answer that yourself. I am happy to pass on the issues on the Downe Hospital, and the other issues, or to have the Ministers pick them up, including the education issue. The Minister is now here. <BR /> <BR />I started with Justin McNulty, and I will finish with him. I know that he is unhappy with the Budget, but, in the round, do we have enough money? Demand is infinite, and the amount of money available is finite. In the Budget, we have made choices, and I stand by those choices.”
“The area that continues to give me some cause for worry — you touched on it — is the willingness of people to visit from the South of the country. That is the responsibility of Tourism NI. In the Budget, we provide £27 million for Tourism NI and, I think, around £10 million or £11 million for Tourism Ireland. One of the many responsibilities of Tourism NI is attracting visitors from south of the border. Those numbers have not been growing. They give us all cause for concern. I can assure you that in my role as Finance Minister — I am not responsible for tourism — I will be asking that we get more bang for our buck. Terence Brannigan, chair of Tourism NI, was in earlier, and I know that that is his wish as well. We need to grow the tourism numbers from south of the border.”
“If we could extend it, in conjunction with the Narrow Water bridge, I think we would let people enjoy the great treasures of south Down. Tourism has created more jobs south of the border in the last four years than any other sector. I met Niall Gibbons of Tourism Ireland in Dublin, last Thursday, I think, and we discussed how we could do more to attract more visitors north of the border. We mentioned in particular south Down, and he has made a commitment to visit south Down in the near future.”
“I assure him and other Members that, if there any changes in circumstances, I will make a statement to the House. I add the caveat that the job of preparing a Budget in September just got considerably more difficult. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the comments of Mr Colin McGrath. I tried desperately to get the Health Minister, the Infrastructure Minister and the Education Minister on the phone. He made strong points for his constituency. I think the Education Minister was the only one who got my call and came down to the House. I think they are strong points. I visited South Down, recently. You focused particularly on tourism. I think South Down deserves a greater share of the tourism peace dividend. <BR /> <BR />I would like to see Ireland's Ancient East extended across the border. It is bonkers that it stops at Dundalk.”
“Despite the success of many of the companies that we have attracted here, we remain a low-wage economy, and that is not acceptable to me. The self-defeating ideology of austerity certainly undermined our growth in the past. <BR /> <BR />In all the debates — several times — Mr Attwood has invited me to make a statement to the Assembly on the Budget. I can assure him again, as I have assured him previously, that the Budget (No. 2) Bill and my statement will stand. If there are any changes to the block grant in the time ahead, I will return to the House with a statement in that regard. However, the Budget (No. 2) Bill has been written into the Executive's agreed Budget for 2016-17. There have been no changes to the block grant following the referendum, although it is early days, and we do not know what perils lie ahead.”
“I also spoke to the vice-president of the European Investment Bank and, as I said earlier, the directors of the SEUPB. Everyone is determined to steady the ship, but no one is blind to the challenges ahead. <BR /> <BR />Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoi mo chomrádaí Declan Kearney, a labhair faoin bhuiséad. Thug sé le fios, ar ndóigh, gur laghdaíodh ar na Buiséid ó 2010. Tá sin fíor. Dúirt sé go bhfuil bealach fada le treabhadh againn sula mbeidh eacnamaíocht agus geilleagar láidir againn, agus aontaím leis sin. Labhair sé go láidir in aghaidh na déine. I welcome and thank my colleague and comrade Declan Kearney and commend him on his maiden speech. He pointed out some valuable contextual points. We talked about the crash earlier, but the DEL resource budget has been reducing since 2010.”
“Perhaps I should put on the record that I spoke to Alastair Hamilton on Friday and to his — I do not know whether it is his father — Simon Hamilton, the Minister.”
“I believe that, in the trade, that is called a leading question. Those are the difficulties that we face. I know that he said that in jest, but the hardest job of all is the job of Alastair Hamilton, the CEO of Invest NI, and we wish him well in the time ahead in dealing with the particular predicament that he has been placed in by Brexit. <BR /> <BR />Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoi mo chomrádaí Declan Kearney —”
“However, I have to say as well that we should not be blind to the crisis that is unfolding and the difficulties that we will face in the time ahead in making sure that international talent, especially from the European Union, wants to come here to work and live. I endorse his comments about the great work done by our businesses.”
“In relation to his particular interest, he will be aware that an additional £5 million was committed to the Department for the Economy in the Budget to contribute to the skills enhancement agenda. He will also be aware that the previous Finance Minister left a "promissory note", as he called it, for £20 million, and we have honoured that. I want to assure him that we are on one page when it comes to investing in skills and in higher and further education. <BR /> <BR />Mr Bell was still in ministerial mode and talked up our economy. I agree with him about the great work that has been done, especially by our entrepreneurs, to create business. We have a very talented workforce and people who are deeply entrepreneurial and want to build a successful society.”
“He will have noted that the Secretary of State, Ms Villiers, has refused point blank to give a guarantee that she will replace the moneys that were received under the SEUPB, the Horizon 2020 programme, INTERREG or the many other programmes. While I agree that the Member has his finger on the pulse of many issues, he is wrong in saying that this is not a sustainable Budget and that we have made the wrong choices. There are budget choices to be made, and, even in regard to the opportunity cost that he speaks of, we have made the right choices.”
“I thank the Member for his question, and I look forward to bringing that up with the Minister from Wales when we meet shortly. <BR /> <BR />It pains me to say this, but Mr Farry speaks a lot of sense when he says that we need to reduce the cost of division, invest to save and make sure that, in the time ahead, regardless of what direction the economy goes in — hopefully, despite Brexit, it will be a forward direction — we invest in skills and investment. He makes a good point about what will replace European funding, and I think that, in the last three years, it has been around £350 million per annum from Europe.”
“It is equally important to me that we meet the Finance Minister in the South, Mr Noonan, and Mr Donohoe, who handles public expenditure, because we need to make sure that those who are on the other side of the negotiating table with the 27 states not only understand where we are coming from but will defend, as Mr Farry said, the fact that a majority here voted to remain. That is at the front and centre.”
“I met each of those gentlemen. We have a lot of issues in common, not least our belief that, when we speak together for 10 million people, the Treasury does listen. However, our meetings took place pre-Brexit, and the urgent need to meet again is not lost on any of us. I spoke to Mr Mackay on Friday. The three Ministers will meet in Cardiff on 11 July, and, as you might expect, all the issues that we had on the table are now being relegated, and the exit from the European Union is being brought to the fore and will dominate our conversations. I do not know whether Ms Hanna or someone else brought it up, but the Chancellor, George Osborne, requested that meeting. That might give you an indication of the depth of the crisis because, for the last three years, he has been refusing to meet us. It is essential that we meet Mr Osborne.”
“There have been years of unprecedented cutbacks in capital expenditure because of the Tory policies and the allocation in the spending settlement, but I think that you will find that infrastructure will be increased. As for childcare, let us not forget the flagship projects. I know that we have a Member who wanted to stop, I think, all seven flagship projects previously, but let us not forget the new women and children's hospital, which demonstrates our commitment to improving and building on our services to women and children. <BR /> <BR />Some Members mentioned working closely with our colleagues in Scotland and Wales. I have met the Finance Minister for Scotland, Mr Mackay. Some of us were calling him Mr Mackie, but I was informed recently that it is Mr Mackay. I also met Minister Drakeford from Wales. We have had one useful meeting.”
“I agree with that, but I say again that, if the SDLP or Ms Hanna have an alternative to this Budget, I would like to see it, and when we do see it, we can make up our mind on whether it is anything other than a wish list. <BR /> <BR />As the Minister of Finance, I state again, as I have stated many times, that I would like all the fiscal levers, not just corporation tax but income tax, air passenger duty and stamp duty. I would like all those taxes. The issue is what we do with them when we have them, and I stand behind that, even as we assess the landscape ahead. <BR /> <BR />Ms Hanna said that she opposes the Budget Bill because the Executive are not investing enough in our infrastructure and in childcare. I think that you will find that our infrastructural investment will increase.”
“Our mission is to improve our services and to be more effective, but can we do it at a lower cost so that we can free money up for education, the economy and other matters? <BR /> <BR />Ms Hanna returned to the Budget that she does not like but does not have an alternative to. She is not sure that the £1 billion that we had promised for health will be sustainable. I share that. It has been echoed by everyone in this House that money alone will not resolve the deep-seated problems in the health service. Therefore, when we spend money in the time ahead and make sure that the health service has the financial resources that it needs, we are cognisant of that. It is to the fore of our minds that money alone will not solve the problem.”
“<BR /> <BR />Ba mhaith liom buíochas a thabhairt do mo chomrádaí, John O’Dowd, as aird a tharraingt arís ar an dochar a rinneadh le linn na géarchéime eacnamaíochta a thosaigh in 2007. I thank John O'Dowd for pointing out that many of our woes date back to the economic crash, and, in fact, the irony is that Brexit perhaps has its roots in the crash of 2007-08. I look forward to looking at all the options ahead. If that includes prudent borrowing, so be it. <BR /> <BR />The reform programme that he and I defend has been a success thus far. Some £4·5 million was allocated in the Budget to take forward the programme during 2016-17, and, during 2016-17, the programme work will focus on undertaking feasibility studies to establish the full potential of each reform.”
“If so, we will have to deal with that in the monitoring round, but I think that this Budget holds. <BR /> <BR />That said, there is no chance that we can proceed with our budgets for the period ahead as we had hoped to later in the year oblivious to Brexit. Brexit is the most damaging, fundamental change that we have seen in our economic circumstances in 40 years. It would be unwise, and I say this again in relation to corporation tax and all the other issues, for any of us to proceed ramstam into the future thinking that the plans that we had on Thursday are good enough for today. So, let us take stock together, let us assess where we are and let us proceed confidently to protect our interests but not be naive about the huge damage, chaos and crisis that has been triggered by Brexit.”
“That said, that should not be taken to mean that I do not think that the damaging effects of Brexit will not be felt immediately. I think that they will be felt immediately. A lot of decisions are being taken in business, and I am not going to relay conversations that I have had with other people, which perhaps would prove my point, because I do not think that this is the place to do it, but there are conversations taking place even day that indicate to me that the impact of Brexit will be immediate and will not be helpful, and I will not say any more than that. So, you never know, the October monitoring round could be an attempt to minimise some of the damage of Brexit. That said, I think that the budgets will hold. There may be some extra money needed to help people to deal with the aftershock of Brexit.”
“I absolutely stand over the outcome and processes of the June monitoring round, and I think that the public will endorse that. Some people said that it was a June monitoring round in June, which, in itself, was praiseworthy. Not only was it the fastest June monitoring round but it delivered over £170 million into services and needs, which our people were requesting. If that is not a good way to do business and he wants to go back to horse-trading and stop-start, I am afraid that I am not an advocate of that. Whether or not, of course, we have the same type of money in our budgets in October for the next monitoring round is another matter. <BR /> <BR />Other Members talked about the effect of Brexit, and Mr Farry touched on it. This is a 2016-17 Budget, and it is my hope that it will not be affected by the Brexit vote.”
“Either you need to tell us that you are opposed to austerity and will oppose it, or you have to admit that you accept that the Tories in their wisdom — mar dhea — have the right to assault and cut our budgets.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of course, the second fault line in Mr Smith's argument is that while he bemoans austerity — he certainly decries my attacks on austerity — his party supports it. I have seen no evidence yet that he will oppose resolutely the austerity coming from London — the 4·5% decrease in our resource budget between now and 2021, or the cut in our budgets from 2010. You cannot have your cake and eat it on this one, Mr Smith.”
“What I would suggest on both counts is that he should come forward with his alternative plan for growing the economy and let us assess it and take a decision on whether it is a cogent plan or a plan which does not hold water, and let us and the people then vote on how sensible that plan is. The Achilles heel of Mr Smith's argument is that I can say, hand on heart, that no one in my party voted for Brexit, but I can also say that I stood outside Botanic Primary School with a member of the Unionist Party who was canvassing and urging people to vote "Leave". If you have some advice on how we should respond to Brexit, I suggest that you first speak to your own members who were telling people that it was in their interests.”
“For other members on the Committee, we are still working on a memorandum of understanding about the Budget process. Work is proceeding. It is not proceeding as quickly as we might want it to, but I hope to have that memorandum of understanding in place. <BR /> <BR />It is good to be back at the dance hall with Mr Smith. He is back where he was: at the slow dance. He was saying that no one else has a plan for the economy, but unfortunately he has no plan for the economy either. He is now telling us that we have no plan post-Brexit, but he has no plan either.”