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29/01/2008
Ritchie 'Had No Choice' On Vote
There is no internal division within the SDLP over the NI Assembly's programme for government and the associated budget.
Party leader Mark Durkan has denied his party is divided over whether to support the issue even though the Executive's Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie was the party's only MLA to vote in favour of the programme for government.
Mr Durkan said this was because changes to the ministerial code meant Ms Ritchie had no choice.
The SDLP and Alliance Party are expected to vote against the budget, although the DUP, Sinn Fein and Ulster Unionists are set to back it when the Assembly debates and votes on Finance Minister Peter Robinson's first budget.
Mr Robinson published his draft budget last October and a final version was agreed by the executive last week.
On Monday night, the assembly voted in favour of the programme for government and investment strategy.
It was passed by 60 votes to 24, with the SDLP and Alliance Party voting against it.
Mr Durkan said his party decided to vote against the programme for government because it was unclear on many issues including water reform, post-primary school reform and the health budget.
"If Ms Ritchie had not supported the programme for government, the DUP would have excluded her from office," he said.
(BMcC)
Party leader Mark Durkan has denied his party is divided over whether to support the issue even though the Executive's Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie was the party's only MLA to vote in favour of the programme for government.
Mr Durkan said this was because changes to the ministerial code meant Ms Ritchie had no choice.
The SDLP and Alliance Party are expected to vote against the budget, although the DUP, Sinn Fein and Ulster Unionists are set to back it when the Assembly debates and votes on Finance Minister Peter Robinson's first budget.
Mr Robinson published his draft budget last October and a final version was agreed by the executive last week.
On Monday night, the assembly voted in favour of the programme for government and investment strategy.
It was passed by 60 votes to 24, with the SDLP and Alliance Party voting against it.
Mr Durkan said his party decided to vote against the programme for government because it was unclear on many issues including water reform, post-primary school reform and the health budget.
"If Ms Ritchie had not supported the programme for government, the DUP would have excluded her from office," he said.
(BMcC)
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