Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Today revealed the brazen self-interest of the DUP and Sinn Fein/IRA more starkly than perhaps ever before as they formed an unholy alliance to block my attempt to reform legislation pertaining to Special Advisers.
“Northern Ireland, the smallest of the devolved regions, will continue to have more SpAds (19) than either Wales (8) or Scotland (14). Indeed, one department, the Office of the Joint First Ministers, will continue to have as many as the entire Welsh government.
“Northern Ireland will continue to squander over £100,000 a year per SpAd while the Welsh get by with Special Advisers costing an average of just £58,500 (2013/14).
“Northern Ireland will continue to have Special Advisers who while part of the Civil Service will not be subject to Northern Ireland Civil Service discipline.
“Why? Because the DUP and Sinn Fein/IRA voted to kill my Bill at the first opportunity today.
“If they had genuine concerns they could have tabled amendments. The truth, however, is obviously that they simply wanted to keep the money flowing to this protected species.
“It is telling that while the DUP allowed no one to speak in health debates on cancer and waiting lists, they did manage to get into the chamber to defend extravagant salaries to their SpAds. Business as usual when it comes to vested interest. Was that part of the deal with Sinn Fein? They would only vote with the DUP if they broke their phoney boycott?
“What of Sinn Fein? In the past they have claimed that they are opposed to the handsome salaries paid to Special Advisers. Indeed, they have regularly berated the Dublin government about the matter. Yet when legislation is brought to cut the SpAd pay bill in Northern Ireland they vote it down at the first opportunity.
“So much for the champions of the working class!
“Clearly their desire to cosy up to the DUP and get their failed executive back up and running trumps their professed socialism.
“It is worth noting that while they claim their SpAds only get the average industrial wage the remainder goes back into the party, not back to the public. Clearly Sinn Fein did not relish losing out as a party as a result of my Bill progressing – even though just last week their South Belfast MLA, Mr Ó Muilleoir, said: “You know that Sinn Féin has argued for a reduction in MLAs’ wages, so we will certainly not be against a reduction in SpAd wages.”
“It is obvious to me that the defeat of my Bill today is part of a wider political game with the groundwork being laid for the DUP to go back into the Executive with Sinn Fein/IRA, regardless of the recent murder”.