Statement by TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston:
“Some weeks ago, I exposed the fact that Stormont departments were spending over £35,600 a week on hospitality.
“Due to a more recent set of questions, I have established that since the restoration of the Executive £60,675.40 has been spent on photographers by government departments.
“Importantly, this figure does not represent the entire spend as one Department particularly fond of photographs – that of the First and deputy First Minister – has failed to respond. The Executive Office was required by Assembly standing orders to respond a month ago. However, as so often happens with the Executive Office Ms O’Neill and Ms Pengelly have simply ignored their duty to respond to the question within the required time frame. This lack of response shows contempt for the people of North Antrim who I represent in the Assembly and it is a common occurrence when it comes to the Executive Office.
“In terms of the departments which did reply it is noteworthy that while some of the figures spent by departments are relatively modest, there are other Ministers who appear to be very fond of photographers. Agriculture, for example, has spent just £5,211 with the majority of that (£2,903) going on “publicity material essential for the promotion and marketing of a variety of events including Careers Fairs and Open Days to encourage student enrolment and courses for the wider community and industries.”
“Minister Mur’s party colleague Mrs Long, however, heads a department which spent £11,311 with no such explanation offered for a much larger sum.
“The full breakdown of answers by Departments can be accessed here.”