When the question of the economy was raised in Lisburn, MLAs had very differing views over what was needed for Northern Ireland. Edwin Poots spoke of how cuts in departments were needed from Northern Ireland’s budget but ‘no Ministers have come forward with ideas to identify those cuts.’ He also spoke of his thanks of how the Assembly’s first priority upon restoration was the economy and how this has paid off.
Alban Maginness agreed with the person proposing the question saying;
“This is the worst financial and economic crisis in two or three generations. The fact is that this budget that we have has to be re-profiled.”

Do you agree with Alban Maginness that the Minister’s inflexibility on the budget will be detrimental in the next few years? Or do you feel that the initial move to prioritise the economy was and is the right thing to do?