The Stormont Executive will not be able to set a budget without an improved funding offer from the UK Government, finance minister John O’Dowd has said.
Mr O’Dowd said ministers were still not in a position to bring the budget impasse to an end following a virtual meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant on Friday.
He did say that ministers were speaking “as one” following recent disputes following the Drumcree parade controversy.
Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant met with Stormont ministers (Zoe Head-Thomas/PA)
PA Wire
Stormont departments have been operating without a budget since the beginning of the current financial year, and are currently allowed to spend up to 95% of last year’s funding.
Ministers in the devolved powersharing Executive have insisted they cannot strike a budget for 2026/27 without additional financial support from Westminster.
The UK Government has made a financial offer slightly above £1.5 billion over the next three years in an effort to assist with balancing the budget.
Sir Chris has insisted this is a final offer and has hit out at “irresponsible” overspending by devolved ministers.
Following the meeting on Friday, Mr O’Dowd said it was clear Stormont ministers want to agree a budget.
But he added: “There simply isn’t the quantum of funding available for us to secure our public services, deliver pay for our teachers and our health workers and other public sector workers.
“We’ve made that case very, very clear again today to the Secretary of State.
“We’re meeting again next week. We want to see progress as quickly as possible, but that will require movement from the British Government.”
He added: “In the absence of movement, the Executive was not in a position to agree a budget.
“The British Government have to step forward and move on this matter.”
Mr O’Dowd said he was “exploring all options” to make increases to public sector pay in the absence of a budget.
He said: “The best way to do that is to secure a budget, and the Government has to step up on that.
Loyalists gather near Drumcree Church as police form a barricade close to the Garvaghy Road (Peter Morrison/PA)
PA Wire
“I’m looking at alternatives as well.”
He said ministers would meet Sir Chris again next week.
Earlier this week unionists brought a motion to the Assembly seeking to remove a number of Sinn Féin ministers, including Mr O’Dowd, from post for taking part in protests against the Drumcree parade in Portadown.
Despite, deteriorating relations between the Stormont parties, Mr O’Dowd insisted the Executive was “focused” on the budget.
He said: “We understand the importance of setting the budget.
“We understand the importance of delivering our pay uplifts for our teachers and healthcare workers and other public sector workers.
“So, of course, there are differences around the Executive table, and there will always be and there are tensions around the Executive table.
“But on this matter, I believe Executive colleagues are focused on speaking as one.”