Debate contribution: Executive Budget

Debate contribution by Mr John O'Dowd on 14 September 2026.

MLA

Mr John O'Dowd

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

14 September 2026

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Opposition Business

Heading

Executive Budget

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5685761

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to respond to the debate on the motion. Public services continue to face significant pressures; Departments continue to operate without the certainty that an agreed Budget would provide; and the Executive continue to face the challenges of securing a funding settlement that properly reflects need and supports the delivery of sustainable public services. Although many of the challenges remain unchanged, the context in which we have been seeking solutions has not. Since the Assembly last debated these matters, we have seen a new Prime Minister, a new Secretary of State and two changes of Chief Secretary to the Treasury. There have also been wider changes in ministerial personnel across these islands. Such developments are clearly outside the Executive's control, but they have inevitably affected the pace of engagement at a time when progress is urgently needed. That loss of momentum has been far from ideal in making progress on fair funding, Budget sustainability or the wider discussions about a full fiscal framework. Nevertheless, I have continued to engage at every opportunity. The Executive collectively met the Secretary of State on Monday and Friday of last week, and, later today, I will meet the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Mr Deputy Speaker, if the debate goes on towards 4.00 pm, I may have to leave the Chamber, so I apologise to Members, but I have been waiting a considerable time for that meeting with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. The Executive are committed to playing their part in undertaking the reforms and transformation needed to help place our finances on a sustainable footing. Indeed, that work is already under way, as has been communicated through our extensive engagement over recent months, but the British Government must also play their part. The proposed funding package represents progress in discussions but remains insufficient to address the financial challenges facing our public services and to secure a sustainable Budget. The scale of the challenges facing public services here cannot be addressed through a limited, short-term package alone. The Executive have been calling for a fair and sustainable longer-term funding framework that reflects need, provides stability and enables the delivery of high-quality public services for people here. The pressures are urgent and real. There is clear disparity of treatment compared with that of other devolved Administrations, and that is compounded by funding losses, inflation, demand pressures and costs stemming directly from decisions that the British Government have taken. Given the seriousness of the situation, urgent progress is now required. The dither and delay from the Government must end. They urgently need to step up and deliver a fair funding settlement. The motion expresses concern at the Executive's failure to agree a Budget. In agreeing a Budget, it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that the Budget that is agreed is affordable, sustainable and capable of supporting the public services on which our citizens rely. I will point out to the Opposition and other Members that there have been calls in recent times to agree a Budget. I note that the SDLP's party conference was held at the weekend, but I am still waiting for an alternative Budget from it.

I will in a moment. The SDLP has lambasted me, the only person who has produced a draft Budget to date. At the time that I produced that draft Budget, I said that I was in listening mode. I met my Executive colleagues, the challenges were outlined to me, and we moved to the position that we are in now. To date, the official Opposition have not produced an alternative Budget. I therefore put this to them: if you are suggesting to me, as Finance Minister, that I should produce and deliver a Budget, where is your Budget?

634 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not qualifying

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 16:16 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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