Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“In light of the appalling fact that the Budget Bill contains no provision for expenditure by any department to mark the Northern Ireland Centenary, I tabled amendments to insert into the expenditure ambits authority for the Departments of Communities and Education to award grants to community and youth groups/organisations to enable them to celebrate the Centenary.
“I am dismayed that the Speaker, in whose discretion these matters lie, refused to allow the amendments to be debated at Consideration Stage, which was scheduled for today.
“The amendments were relevant to the provisions of the Bill and were not in conflict with the principle of the Bill as agreed at Second Stage. Accordingly, I firmly believe they were admissible. Yet, Mr Speaker, whose decision is final, declined to let them even be debated!
“Bad enough that the Executive brings forward a Budget Bill which makes no provision for the Centenary, but worse that the Assembly can’t even debate rectifying that wrong.
“I raised the matter with the Speaker when the Consideration Stage was reached, but got no satisfaction. Coming on the heels of Stormont refusing illumination to mark Innocent Victims Day, it is difficult to find the respect some like to talk about.”