Stormont Institutions In Need Of 'Urgent Reform'

Marking one hundred days since May's Assembly election Alliance has said that the Stormont institutions are in need of "urgent reform".

Making the call, Andrew Muir said: "Unless we do something soon, we will continue in this cycle of crisis and collapse – with those who want to hold Northern Ireland to ransom pursing their party political aims at the expense of all those struggling across Northern Ireland.

"We need to get the Assembly and Executive up and running urgently, with those who have been open about their desire to do so able to get on with the job. The majority of people voted one hundred days ago for functioning stable government and yet we've seen yet again how one party has been able to derail any and all progress to date.

"Alliance has always played a consistent and constructive role in the various negotiations around the institutions over the years, but we are now in the position where we can't move forward without modest reform – reform to enable us to achieve both the spirt and principles of the Good Friday Agreement."

Alliance have written to both the UK and Irish Governments on their proposals including the right to nominate a First or deputy First Minister passing to the next largest party if a party does not nominate, as well as introducing weighted majority voting for 'cross-community' votes in the Assembly and restricting the use of petitions of concern and 'cross-community' votes within the Executive to specific issues.

"With 17 MLAs our votes must and should matter on same equal basis as other MLAs," Muir continued.

"One hundred days since May 5 and circumstances have only become worse for many. With growing waiting lists, job pressures, threats of a recession and concerns over how people will afford to heat their homes in coming months – this winter has the potential to be devastating. It's time for the DUP to end their shameful games and help the rest of us deal with these pressing issues."