Trimble accused of wrecking programme for government

David Trimble was accused today of setting out to wreck the political institutions during a rancorous Assembly debate on the final Programme for government.

As the First Minister laid out the details of the draft programme, Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Fein, Foyle) accused him of political cowardice

“Today’s draft Programme for government comes 48 hours after yet another UUC (Ulster Unionist Council) meeting and against the backdrop of another UUP threat to walk away from the institutions.

“The unionists are fighting a concerted campaign to frustrate and delay the changes in our society that are required.

“Does this final Programme for Government for this Executive have the ability to deliver on the agenda for change in light of the political cowardice of the unionist political leadership?”

John Dallat (SDLP, East Derry) used the debate to attack the Ulster Unionists accusing them of seeking to undermine progress made under the Agreement.

“None of this is possible if we continue to have the Saturday morning fur coat brigade voting like turkeys for Christmas.

“The No-campers of this world don’t give a damn for equality, social inclusion or unemployment blackspots. They seem to believe that they can turn the clock back to the days when they reigned supreme.

“Those who fooled themselves at the weekend that they could put the clock back should get real with the electorate and tell them the truth. The world is moving on and so are we.”

Ian Paisley (DUP, North Antrim) said the First Minister was seeking to bluff the electorate when the Executive faced collapse in January.

“We are told that he is presenting priorities for the next few years. I find it quite interesting that an attempt is being made to try to conveniently put under the carpet the reality of the situation and to pretend that all is well.”

With the political process facing collapse after the UUP threat to pull out of the Executive on January 18 if the republicans have not proved their commitment to peace, Mr Trimble (UUP, Upper Bann) spoke of his commitment to providing good government for the future.

“This is a time for commitment not complacency. I believe this draft Programme demonstrates our commitment to delivering government that makes a real and positive difference to the lives of people here,” he said.

He said the draft programme committed the Executive to providing 100 new hospital beds to ease the desperate pressures facing the health service.

“The draft Programme signals our intention to increase capacity in our hospitals, providing 100 more hospital beds by March 2005 to help ease the worst pressure points.”

He also pledged the Executive to work to eliminate three quarters of the road maintenance backlog.

“We will undertake improvements to our major routes in particular building on our earlier commitment to upgrade the Trans European Network from Larne to Newry.”

Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan (SDLP, Foyle) said the draft programme was committed to reaching a fair rating system for Northern Ireland.

“We must also continue to press for reform of the Barnett Formula to ensure that our resources meet our needs.”

On education, Mr Durkan said the Executive would introduce new curricula in both primary and post primary schools to ensure young people leave school with the highest possible standards of literacy and numeracy.

The draft Programme for Government which sets out the Executive’s key priorities for the year ahead from April 2003, will be issued widely for consultation inside and outside the Assembly.

It is due to be finalised in the Assembly in December, 2002.