The Northern Ireland Civil Service Director has proposed a Stormont meeting with parties qualified to form a government this week.
In a letter to the four largest parties, Jayne Brady argued that a “governance gap” had exacerbated budgetary pressures.
Due to the DUP’s protest against post-Brexit trade regulations, neither the executive nor the assembly can function.
Sinn Féin is the main party in the assembly and local government at present.
After last week’s council elections, it was reported that voters desired a return to power-sharing.
Former Sinn Féin finance minister Conor Murphy said the DUP could “help us all” by returning to the government.
He added that a unified voice among ministers could help secure a financial package from the British government. Which he described as having proposed “the worst possible budget” to punish the people of Northern Ireland.
Chris Heaton-Harris, secretary of state for Northern Ireland, has denied this and previously stated that the budget was intended to assure the continuation of services in the absence of a devolved government.
Ms. Brady wrote in a letter to Sinn Féin, the DUP, the Alliance Party, and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) that only elected ministers have the authority to make “major policy decisions,” some of which are necessary for departments to make budget cuts in 2023/24.
Stormont officials expect to find £800 million in modifications and revenue-generating measures.
Ms. Brady’s letter cautioned that it “leaves the accounting officer in the precarious position of having no legal means to ensure full compliance with the obligation to adhere to budgetary constraints.”
“As a result, the spending trajectory currently exceeds the budget, and this will remain the case until and unless ministerial decision-making is restored,” the report continued.
Ms. Brady went on to emphasize that even if an executive were to be formed and accompanied by an additional financial package from Westminster, it was “highly likely” that the budgetary situation would continue to be extremely difficult.
She added, “An incoming executive would be faced with several difficult decisions because they would need to be made in the middle of the fiscal year.”
According to reports, she has requested a meeting with the parties on Thursday to discuss preparations for a future executive.
The 2023/24 budget and the incoming government’s agenda will be considered.
Following the council election, Michelle O’Neill, vice-president of Sinn Féin, stated that it was the responsibility of the British and Irish governments to immediately restore the assembly.
She also demanded that the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference convene immediately.
“Financial recalibration is required”
Gavin Robinson, a DUP representative, stated that the position of his party was supported by electors in last week’s election.
The DUP, the second-largest local party, maintained 122 councillors.
He was also critical of the secretary of state for rejecting Jayne Brady and the Northern Ireland Office’s legislative proposals.
“They would have given the secretary of state decision-making authority, closing the governance gap. But he decided not to move forward with these decision-making powers.”
Mr. Robinson also stated that the funding of Northern Ireland required a readjustment.
Jayne Brady’s letter is a request for help because she’s a civil servant, not a politician.
Her letter reveals the magnitude of the responsibilities she and her team are facing.
She makes it abundantly clear that unless Stormont returns or the secretary of state steps in, the larger decisions required to bring the budget under control cannot be made.
There will be a significant problem if they don’t return or if someone doesn’t assume control of the reins.
“Unionist passivity”
Thursday, Sinn Féin gained an additional 39 council seats, bringing its total to 144 across Northern Ireland’s councils.
Additionally, the cross-community Alliance Party increased its number of councilors by 14 to 67.
Having placed third in May’s assembly election, the party now holds the same position at the council level.
Paula Bradshaw, an Alliance Party MLA, stated that it was unfair to expect civil servants to make major budget decisions in response to Jayne Brady’s letter.
She added that while additional funding for public services was necessary, the delivery of public services required fundamental reform.
However, both the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) suffered net losses in the election.
Robbie Butler, the UUP’s deputy leader, stated on Monday that Ms. Brady’s letter came as “absolutely no surprise” given the current condition of budgetary pressures.
Mr. Butler told Good Morning Ulster that loyalist areas had voter “apathy” after his party’s election performance.
“It’s not on the people, it’s on politicians like myself,” he said. “We have to step up and ask, ‘What’s the missing piece?'”
Matthew O’Toole of the SDLP stated that it was a “tough election with notable bright spots.”
“Losing 20 seats is never a good day,” he said, adding that his party possesses “tremendous potential.”
