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COMMITTEE ON THE PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT

4 January 2007
PN 31/07

COMMITTEE OFFERS ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS TO CHANCELLOR

The Transitional Assembly’s Committee on the Programme For Government met yesterday and considered a report from its sub-group on Economic Issues.

The report looked in detail at the economic package outlined by the Chancellor at the meeting with political parties on 1 November 2006. While welcoming the proposed funding, the Committee concluded that it was insufficient to create the new fiscal and investment environment required to address decades of under investment. The Committee has proposed an alternative package which is centred on three strands, namely:-

  1. fiscal reform, including a competitive rate of Corporation Tax,
  2. an investment package to strengthen and rebalance the NI economy, and
  3. a reform of the funding arrangements for NI public expenditure

The Committee agreed to write to the Chancellor setting out its proposals. A copy of the letter to the Chancellor is attached.

The Committee Chairperson, Francie Molloy MLA, said, "A restored Executive will have to make difficult decisions in relation to delivery of key services and so it is vital that the necessary resources are available."

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

On 24 November 2006, following a direction from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Peter Hain MP, the Business Committee established a Programme for Government Committee to consider the priorities for a new Executive and to make preparations for restoration. The Secretary of State directed that the Committee should, initially, be chaired by the deputy presiding officers, Jim Wells MLA and Mr Francie Molloy MLA.

At the meeting on 27 November, the Committee agreed a work programme up to 30 January 2007. This included the setting up of a number of sub-groups to consider:-

  1. Economic Issues
  2. Review of Public Administration and Rural Planning
  3. Schools Admission Policy
  4. Policing and Justice
  5. Workplace 2010 and Public Sector Jobs Location
  6. Comprehensive Spending Review; Programme for Government; Rates Charges and Water Reform

All of the sub groups will report to the Committee over the coming weeks

Information about yesterday’s meeting can be obtained from the Information Officer -

Mr Paddy Price
Information Office
Room B2
Parliament Buildings
Belfast
028 90 521137