10 February
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has said that the UK and Irish Governments must heed the Assembly’s call for a programme of reform to fix Northern Ireland’s broken politics.
He was speaking after an SDLP Opposition Day motion on Tuesday declared no confidence in the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons following his recent standards breach.
MLAs agreed to write to the UK and Irish Governments and endorse a programme of institutional reform to strengthen stability, improve accountability and restore public confidence.
South Belfast MLA Matthew O’Toole said:
“Today’s Assembly debate was a stark reminder about the need to improve the standards in public life here. Instead of accepting the motion before them and committing to addressing existing issues around delivery, Executive parties turned on each other, making it clear for all to see why they are failing the public.
“I also note the failure of the new UUP Leader to live up to his public pronouncements on the need to change the way Stormont operates. It is beginning to feel more and more like our unionist parties represent three shades of the DUP and that serves nobody well.
“The need to reform our institutions was once again brought into focus by the brazenness of the Communities Minister following the Standards Commissioner’s ruling. Too often Ministers in Northern Ireland face no accountability, whether that be around delivery for the public or their own behaviour.
“This vote to write to the UK and Irish Governments to begin a programme of reform is significant. It offers us an opportunity to create a culture of accountability, take a serious look at this place and fix our broken politics. The SDLP Opposition is determined to deliver better government for the public. Today is an important step forward.”