Executive must do the maths - end segregation to combat stealth taxes

10.05.14am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th Jun 2007

Alliance Party Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA

Alliance Party Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA, has demanded that the Executive start ending segregation and freeing-up the one billion pounds wasted yearly on it, to help stop unfair stealth taxes like water charges and rates hikes. He also demanded that the Executive push the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister to publish the Deloittes report on the cost of segregation immediately. His call comes as the Executive meets today to discuss rates and the tap tax.

The Strangford Assembly Member said: "The Executive need to start doing the maths on this. One billion pounds every year is wasted on segregation. We need to start breaking down the Berlin Wall of division here, and redirected the cash saved to help stop stealth taxes, like tap tax and rates hikes.

"I am also calling on the Executive to put pressure on the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister to get them to publish the Deloittes report on the cost of segregation immediately. The Executive must stop stalling on tackling division in Northern Ireland.

"On Monday, we had a very positive Assembly debate on our motion on a shared future, but we need action, not words on this matter.

"I am also concerned about the lack of transparency within the Executive. Water charges and rates are issues of massive significance for local people, and the Executive must not be allowed to leave them out in the cold.

"The public have a right to know what decisions are being made behind closed doors in the Executive. They need the facts over tap tax, to end this confusion about whether the Executive will introduce these unfair charges after the year's delay on them has elapsed."

ENDS