Commenting on the answer to an Assembly question he received, TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston said:
“The spend on the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels – over £6.7 million since the UK voted to leave the EU – will doubtless cause many to raise eyebrows, not least because I am sure I am not alone in not being clear as to what it actually does.
“Such a large investment of public money is something we would expect to see more openness about. It would appear to me that in relation to this – as with so much in the Executive Office – there is little regard for public money.
“I also cannot help but contrast this lavish spend on the Executive’s Brussels office with the fact that InterTrade UK – which was heralded by the DUP as a major achievement to address the challenges posed by the Protocol – doesn’t have offices, has no independent budget and no staff.
“This spend is something I intend to prob further in the Executive Office Committee”.
Note to editors
Mr Gaston’s question and the answer received are as follows:
Traditional Unionist Voice
North AntrimTabled Date: 06/02/2025
Answered On Date: 11/04/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the cost of the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels in each year of its operation.
Answer:
|
Year
|
Budget (£)
|
Year
|
Budget (£)
|
|
2023-24
|
760,480.37
|
2015-16
|
857,116.80
|
|
2022-23
|
832,438.70
|
2014-15
|
850,191.27
|
|
2021-22
|
923,248.66
|
2013-14
|
800,498.29
|
|
2020-21
|
841,142.62
|
2012-13
|
827,604.53
|
|
2019-20
|
847,801.14
|
2011-12
|
657,351.43
|
|
2018-19
|
799,800.07
|
2010-11
|
1,841,570.96
|
|
2017-18
|
867,244.60
|
2009-10
|
1,823,999.06
|
|
2016-17
|
868,171.21
|
2008-09
|
649,832.16
|