Dickson – Finance Minister must work with Justice Minister to explain equal pay issue

Alliance Justice spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said that the Finance Minister must work with the Justice Minister to address concerns among NIO and PSNI staff who are not entitled to access the equal pay settlement of 2009. A recent court judgement stated that there is no legal basis upon which the Minister of Justice can make payments to these staff. His comments were made during a debate in the Assembly.

Stewart Dickson MLA said: “I would like to offer my recognition of the disillusionment and sense of unfairness felt by those who working in the PSNI and Northern Ireland Office who are affected by this issue.

“However, the recent court judgement makes it absolutely clear that there is no legal basis upon which the Minister of Justice can make payments to these staff.

“When the PSNI produced a draft business case in 2010 on this issue, the Department of Justice sought DFP advice, and the advice they received did not allow the business case to proceed. It is up to the Finance Minister to sign off on any business case to the Treasury to provide funding for this issue.

“If the Justice Minister were to act without the approval of the Finance Minister he would be breaking audit and financial rules.

“I would urge the Finance Minister to work with the Justice Minister to ensure that the outcome of the equal pay settlement and its implication can be fully explained to the affected staff members.”

ENDS