Archives For OFMDFM

What is OFMdFM Hiding on Travel Overseas?

Admin —  August 21, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“As part of my campaign to bring greater transparency to the spending of public money I have tabled a series of questions to OFMdFM about overseas travel. Months later the following questions remain unanswered:

Question tabled on 28/09/2011 To ask the First and deputy First Minister to detail (i) the total cost of their recent trip to the USA; and (ii) who accompanied them on their visit.

Question tabled 21/03/2012 To ask the First and deputy First Minister how much has been paid to photographers, or other service providers, for the provision of photographic services to the Executive for work outside Northern Ireland since May 2007. Continue Reading…

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Below is the speech delivered by Jim Allister during the debate on the Planning Bill last night

Admin —  June 26, 2013

Below is the speech delivered by Jim Allister during the debate on the Planning Bill last night:

Yesterday, we witnessed a power smash-and-grab raid with amendment No 20. Today, with amendment No 26, the new tool of tyranny is to gag the citizens. To underscore that, the amendment not only gags the citizens but circumvents the courts to make sure that the opportunities that currently exist to challenge executive authority are neutered. For decades, nay centuries, the courts have played a vital role as a restraint on the abuse of executive power, and that is why the function of judicial review has evolved over many years. However, the obvious effect and purpose of amendment No 26 is to remove from the citizen the right to have recourse to that remedy in the manner that he or she currently has. Continue Reading…

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Allister denounces OFMDFM power grab of Planning powers

Admin —  June 26, 2013

Below is the speech delivered by Mr Allister during the debate on the Planning Bill on Monday past.

The position that we have arrived at is a most illuminating commentary on the system of government in Northern Ireland. We appoint, by a specific means, Ministers to various portfolios. We appoint an Environment Minister, and planning is a large part of his portfolio. That Minister is then ambushed by an eight-page amendment to a Bill that he, in good faith, has brought to the House, and that has been through the relevant Committee of the House, without a whisper of that ambush. The amendment was presented to the House a few hours, in working terms, before the Bill was due to have its Consideration Stage. Not just the House but, most particularly, the specifically appointed planning Minister has been ambushed. That is, I suggest, a most illuminating commentary on how government works or does not work in this House. It is also an illuminating insight into the political motivation and intent of the ambushers, and the respect or disrespect in which they hold their Executive colleagues. Continue Reading…
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