Debate contribution: Public Finances: Hotel Costs

Debate contribution by Mr Matthew O'Toole on 28 April 2025.

MLA: Mr Matthew O'Toole
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 28 April 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Public Finances: Hotel Costs
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4913496

Text

You may not seek it out, First Minister, but you know that your colleague Conor Murphy, who is a former Economy Minister and Finance Minister, stayed in the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore, which says on its website that it reflects:
"the full-blown colonial confidence of its builders".
It cost more than £6,000 for him to stay there, which is much more than the cost of pedestrianising Hill Street. We all agree that austerity was bad, First Minister, but I asked you specific questions. Are you comfortable with your ministerial colleagues staying in five-star hotels? Have you stayed in a five-star hotel at taxpayer expense since you have been in your role? It is quite a straightforward question.

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 1241/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

Disagree with this assessment?

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

Challenge this classification