The Shortest Day
Well after our recent marathon budget and programme for government discussions we are all getting an early bath today, thanks to Sammy Wilson. His failure to get to the Chamber on time for the start of a debate on Youth Services this morning meant the business was lost. After a twenty minute adjournment, MLAs moved on to a discussion of migrant workers and human trafficking.
Apart from wanting more cash for youth services, Sammy Wilson supports their transfer to local councils. When the Review of Public Administration went for consultation in 2005 quite a few youth organisations took a contrary view. The Review eventually recommended youth services should stay with the department.
So far as the RPA is concerned we are still awaiting Arlene Foster's recommendations on the future number of councils. It had been expected that the minister would ditch the direct rule recommendation for 7 councils, increasing it to 11. Although some councils had expected the final recommendations to be ready by the end of January, this has slipped. Presumably there might be some attempt to reach consensus on a figure before a final recommendation is published.
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I watched the events and was very surprised to see such an empty chamber for any of the debates. A friend sitting with me explained that 'the rest' were probably working on committees or doing constituency work. I have no evidence what they were doing but to me it looked neglectful and just wonder if some of these people have too many other committments or poor management of their time.
I reckon the DUP thought police caught on to Sammy just before it was took late and made him pull out of the debate.
If I recall correctly Mr Wilson had spoke long and hard last week on what a great budget his friend Peter had introduced. Yet this week he was going to climb on his high horse and cry that there wasn't enough money for Youth Services, which there isn't.
I would like comment on the article"Keeping in the Family"The MLS,s who employed family members, i want to know were these jobs advertised and were equal opportunities guidelines followed or are MLA,S above the laws of the ordinary man.
An early bath..... Any excuse for Sammy to leave the assembly is a welcome one.....