Debate contribution: Budget: Transformation

Debate contribution by Mr Matthew O'Toole on 24 February 2026.

MLA: Mr Matthew O'Toole
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 24 February 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Budget: Transformation
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5404392

Text

We were supposed to be able to start doing that transformation two years ago. That is what we were told by your predecessor and your colleagues, but, clearly, it has not properly started in earnest. Minister, the public out there will wonder what has happened. Yes, I agree that the Treasury does not prioritise this place — you will never find me disagreeing with that — but the corollary to that is that, if we are going to negotiate with the Treasury, which you have just said that you will do, we have to demonstrate that we are engaged in meaningful transformation and that we want to take more fiscal powers here in order to take more responsibility for ourselves. I have seen no evidence of either of those things. If we get a final, agreed, multi-year Budget, will there be anything in it on additional powers for revenue-raising/fiscal devolution in the North?

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 2091/22-27.

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