Alliance motion looks at growing unease from public around Executive transparency


There is growing unease from the public on the lack of transparency from the Executive, the Assembly will hear tomorrow as Alliance brings a motion calling for greater openness in local politics.

The motion lays out a number of recent examples of secretive behaviour by the Executive Office, which Alliance’s Stephen Farry MLA said has led to a lack of public confidence in the political process here.

“Over the past few months, we have seen numerous breaches of what should be the accepted standards of good governance,” he said.

“From the collaborating to water down a motion on the Nama allegations to secretly changing the law in order to appoint an Executive Press Secretary, and from hiding a report on the possible effects of Brexit to refusing to disclose the Bengoa Report into reform of the health service here, the examples of the Executive parties not acting in transparent ways are many.

“While the DUP and Sinn Fein will defend their antics are little different in what happens in other governments, it is clear what is happening here is at the extreme end of what is supposed to pass for democratic government. Democracy should be about good governance, human rights and the rule of law.

“Such good governance and proper scrutiny of government lends itself to better value for money, and maximises resources, allowing for more investment in the economy and public services. Politicians should be doing all they can to improve public confidence in politics. Alliance is calling on the DUP and Sinn Fein to do exactly that by being more open and therefore contributing to rebuilding trust.”

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