Debate contribution: Failure to Agree a Budget

Debate contribution by Mr John O'Dowd on 5 October 2026.

MLA: Mr John O'Dowd
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 5 October 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Questions for Urgent Oral Answer
Heading: Failure to Agree a Budget
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5774638

Text

It is not my intention or desire to hand any power over to the British Government. When it comes to the two issues that he mentioned — fuel and energy prices — he will know that the Executive do not have the power or the financial clout to deal with them. However, it would be wholly unacceptable for the British Government to set a Budget. Instead of issuing ultimatums, the British Government need to properly and fairly fund this place. They need to fund it in the same way as they fund Scotland and Wales, which receive fairer funding settlements than we do. The British Government tell us that there is no more money, but they cannot expect workers, families and businesses here to bail them out. That is not how it works. People here pay their fair share of taxes but are not getting a fair return on those taxes. It is only right and proper that the Executive continue to put pressure on the Government to correct that failure.
What I said when I published my Budget was that I was in listening mode. I met all Ministers around the Executive table, including yours, and engaged with them about the pressures that they face. We continue to engage with the British Government, and we have put forward a very strong case. The reality is that, in the absence of a Budget, there is no way to pay public-sector workers the pay rises that they are due. I continue to engage with legal teams and the Attorney General (AG) on that matter, but no one has yet been able to identify a method by which we can pay public-sector workers the pay rises that they are due. That is the challenge that the Executive face in the time ahead. In the absence of further funding, there would have been real-terms cuts to public services. However, if we continue on the current 95% trajectory, that will also result in damage to public services. Despite our differences on many issues, which were demonstrated earlier, we have to remain united in our approach to the British Government in order to secure a fair funding settlement for this place. The Executive plan to meet in the morning to discuss that very matter, which is a good thing. Despite everything else that is going on, the Executive plan to meet on that matter, and we will have further discussions on the way forward.
There are obvious pressures on policing as a result of a failure of leadership and the failure of the British Government to step in. It is now time to call that out and ensure that the pressure is lifted off the people of the Garvaghy Road so that that community can continue to move forward.

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

Assessment

Awaiting analysis

This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification