Judith Cochrane MLA said: “Such a major decision should have been announced on the floor of the Assembly rather than in a press release sent out to MLAs and the media. I hope that the Minister will allow MLAs to question this decision and the manner in which it was announced in the House on Monday.
“Alliance believes that all of these new measures should be fully scrutinised with public consultation where appropriate. There needs to full consideration of all the equality and good relations aspects of these proposals.
“There needs to be a detailed discussion at both the Social Development Committee and on the floor of the Assembly.”
ENDS