O'Dowd's comments hammer home the Executive's total lack of ambition

2.02.00pm GMT Fri 23rd Nov 2007

Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA

Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has launched a stinging attack on Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd for saying people should be happy with the Executive simply because there is now power-sharing. His comments were made on the BBC Hearts and Minds programme last night during a panel discussion with David Ford on the Executive's legislative programmme.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: "It beggars believe that John O'Dowd is implying that simply having powersharing is enough, and the people should be happy with their lot.

"The whole reason behind devolution is to deliver better decisions and better services for local people. This Executive has offered virtually no original or radical thinking, and they expect people to put up with it.

"The DUP and Sinn Fein are always on the back foot and are very defensive these days. The reason for this is because they have very little to offer and have delivered next to nothing since the return of devolution.

"The DUP and Sinn Fein are now one and the same. They preside over this unstable Executive and people are finally realising that the Chuckle Brothers routine will not deliver the radical thinking that Northern Ireland needs in order to move forward with confidence.

"People want to see more affordable and social housing, they want better public transport and they want free personal care for older people. What they don't want is an Executive that has little strategic thinking and even less courage.

"Alliance is ambitious about Northern Ireland. We have a clear vision and a strong long-term strategy that will deliver a better Northern Ireland for everyone."

ENDS