Debate contribution: Executive Budget

Debate contribution by Miss Áine Murphy on 14 September 2026.

MLA: Miss Áine Murphy
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 14 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Opposition Business
Heading: Executive Budget
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5685835

Text

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
I thank Members for contributing to today's debate. There is clear agreement across the Chamber that the absence of an agreed Budget for 2026-27 is creating uncertainty for Departments and is having an impact on public bodies as well as community organisations. However, we must acknowledge the wider financial reality. For years, the Executive have been expected to deliver public services with funding settlements that have failed to reflect the need — a point repeatedly highlighted by the Fiscal Council. The consequences are clear in our health service, schools, infrastructure and pressures facing communities right across the North. Those challenges did not arise because a Budget has yet to be set or agreed; they are the result of more than a decade of chronic underfunding and austerity. That is not to absolve the Executive of responsibility. Ministers must work collectively, agree priorities and ensure that resources are used effectively. However, we should be honest: sustainable transformation cannot be delivered on the basis of inadequate funding settlements. In my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, as in many rural constituencies across the North, people see those pressures every day. Transformation cannot become a euphemism for withdrawing services or expecting workers and communities to do more with less. The debate has reinforced the point that it is not a simple question of local allocations or one Minister acting alone: it requires collective leadership from the Executive and meaningful consultation with and engagement from the British Government to secure the fair and sustainable funding settlement that our public services need. I will refer to some comments that were made by Members during the debate. Mr O'Toole opened the debate on the Opposition's motion. He stated that irresponsibility here breeds cynicism in Westminster and that Executive parties want power but not the responsibility that comes with it. My colleague Deirdre Hargey emphasised the need for a fair and sustainable funding model to ensure that public services can be properly funded going forward. Mr Tennyson, who, unfortunately, is no longer in the Chamber, expressed similar sentiments, highlighting the fact that people here pay their taxes and deserve fairness when it comes to funding. He mentioned that the Department of Justice has had to be frugal, given the challenges with its current Budget allocation. He also made the link between public service transformation and the need for reform within these institutions. Diane Forsythe said that the right thing to do was to push back on funding with Treasury. She also mentioned that we need a Budget that works for people; one that cannot be catastrophic for our public services or drive people out of jobs. I noted that Mr Burrows — I cannot remember where I put my note. From memory — he is no longer in the Chamber — he said that the Executive were correct to push for and engage with the British Government on more appropriate funding levels. He went on to question Michelle O'Neill's whereabouts. He then went on to talk about aversive training tools for dogs and a number of other issues that were not too relevant to the debate. My party's amendment reflects the balanced position. It recognises the urgency of agreeing a Budget, the shared responsibility of Executive parties to achieve that and the responsibility of the British Government to provide the resources necessary to support public services and deliver better outcomes for our people. I just want to note Mr Gaston's contribution. It is quite clear that the TUV is happy for our people here to be treated as lesser citizens than citizens in Scotland, Wales and England.
I will quote James Connolly to the Member:
"For our demands most moderate are, We only want the earth."

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

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