Cost Of NIO PR Slammed

There have been accusations of overspending on the pubic relations work associated with the Northern Ireland Office (NIO).

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson (pictured) has said he was astonished after learning that the cost of running the Political Directorate - which supports the work of NIO Ministers - came to £11.4m last year.

The DUP politician said that an overhaul of Government "spin doctors" and advisors is needed.

The Executive's Finance Minister said the PR operation overall cost £13.6 million last year.

After a series of Parliamentary questions were answered he said the Government "needs to explain why costs have risen by almost £5 million in the last year from £6.8 million in 2006/2007".

In addition to this, the Northern Ireland Information Service, which exists to 'present and explain Government policy in Northern Ireland by communicating the objectives of the Northern Ireland Office in a positive, timely, impartial and professional manner', cost the taxpayer £2.2m last year - making a total of well over £13m.

The MP said: "I know that Labour has a fondness for spin, but how can they justify spending £2.2m to promote and explain Government policy in Northern Ireland?

"I doubt very much if they can. The Government need to look closely at how this figure can be reduced," he insisted.

Moving on he said that it is the "sheer cost" of the Political Directorate which is the most shocking figure of all.

"Many people will be unable to understand why £11.4 million pounds has been spent on providing advice and support to Ministers and 'maintaining relations' with other Governments and administrations.

"Perhaps the Ministers should buy a newspapers or two if they want to find out what is going on in Northern Ireland instead of expensive advisors," quipped the Minister.

He said that the DUP want to see a reduction in the overall cost of Government, reduce the number of MLAs and the number of Government Departments and cut unnecessary spending and waste so that the taxpayer will benefit.

"The NIO needs to do the same and I have no doubt that the people of Northern Ireland would far rather that we had less spin doctors in the NIO and more doctors in hospitals, and less advisors for Ministers and more teachers for our young people.

"It is time that the Government looked closely at the expenditure of the NIO and at all Government Departments and cut the bureaucracy and channel those resources towards front line services."

(BMcC/KMcA)