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 [...]

The effectiveness of the Assembly’s Committee system was questioned in Lisburn as one audience member suggested their role was debatable as all the power seems to be with the departments. Basil McCrea agreed to an extent saying that in a Committee, ‘we can advise, we can inform, we can discuss, but ultimately the executive power [...]

The age-old question of Northern Ireland politics was also raised in Lisburn: whether the constitutional divide is the main thrust of politicians’ agendas and if people are beginning to move on to other issues. Sinn Fein’s Paul Butler said that it had been about that ‘up until now’. He went to say that; “The next [...]

Northern Ireland’s government and the systems often attract confusion and misunderstanding. The panel in Lisburn did their best to clear this up after one audience member enquired about the differences between the Executive and the Assembly.. Paul Butler said: “The Executive is a decision making body made up of Ministers and the Assembly is all [...]