Debate contribution: Rising Oil Costs: Executive Response

Debate contribution by Mr Matthew O'Toole on 16 March 2026.

MLA: Mr Matthew O'Toole
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 16 March 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Rising Oil Costs: Executive Response
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5448633

Text

First Minister, you have not answered my question. I did not ask simply about making the case. I respect that, and I agree with you that the UK Government need to provide the financial firepower. It is a global oil crisis: I am not being unreasonable about that. However, the bare minimum that the public should be able to expect is for you and the deputy First Minister, the Economy Minister, the Finance Minister and, yes, the Communities Minister to get together, design a scheme and then go to the UK Government and say, "This is what we want to deliver for the people of the North. Fund it". You have not done that. There has been indecision, squabbling and falling out. Why have your Government, again, been addicted to shifting blame to the UK Government, and then to each other, rather than on focusing on the people who matter most — the people who send us here?

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 2161/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

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