People want a lot more than just 'happy families' at OFMDFM

12.08.00pm GMT Thu 8th Nov 2007

Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA

Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has said that it's all well and good that Martin McGuinness gets on well with Ian Paisley, but the fact remains that this Executive has delivered next to nothing in terms of new legislation and improvements to local people's lives. His comments come after an interview with Martin McGuinness revealed that he and Ian Paisley have not exchanged an angry word in the eight months they have been in power.

The Strangford MLA stated: "Devolution was meant to be a work-in but in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister's office it appears to be a love-in.

"Since devolution returned we have seen precious little new legislation and very little has been done to deliver improvements in the everyday lives of local people.

"The Programme for Government unveiled two weeks ago was very flimsy and contained very little in terms of new or radical thinking. It is also unacceptable that the Executive seems to be happy to have the Assembly reduced to the status of a talking shop, with private members motions instead of new legislation taking up most of the Assembly's time.

"Local people are tired of the 'happy families' First and Deputy First Minister photocalls and the so-called feelgood stories. OFMDFM have a job of work to do on creating a genuine shared future and ending segregation. They are failing miserable on these two important issues and have a lot to do to prove that they are serious about these matters. People want to real work being done in the Assembly and real improvements made to local services."

ENDS