Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Stephen Farry ducked many of the key questions on Nolan today.
“He says he did a “write round” with key stakeholders, but not DFP – the body with oversight for the whole public service. This was a shocking failure. The Ministerial Code bound him to the “highest standards” in relation to “the stewardship of public funds”. (Paras 1.5(i), (ii) & (v).)
“Having served for many years as a member of the DFP Committee, in addition to his knowledge as a minister, Stephen Farry must have understood fully the crosscutting impact on the block grant of not proceeding with a cap. Accordingly, he had a duty, I believe, to inform DFP. Yet, he did not.
“Any minister understands a role of the Finance Department is to be aware of upcoming challenges on the public finance front and the collective responsibility of other departments is to alert them to any such issues in their knowledge. All the more amazing, therefore, that Stephen Farry kept these matters to himself.
“Dr Farry concedes he acted against civil service advice in deciding against a consultation – which in practical terms was the same as deciding against having any cap. Was there a ministerial direction?
“DFP Corporate Personnel should have been aware of this pay issue separately from DEL and should have informed the Public Spending Directorate/Central Spending Division, with ultimately a briefing of the Finance Minister. Did this happen? If not, why not? Department of Finance needs to clear up this matter.
“To plead as a defence the dysfunctionality of the Executive of which he was a willing part is as pathetic as it is bizarre. Once more the dysfunctionality of our failed system of devolution is set to cost the public dear. Unlike Dr Farry I don’t think this is a matter deserving only of a shrug of the shoulders.”