Parents, patients and commuters still in dark over Executive's plans

4.07.00pm GMT Sat 2nd Feb 2008

Alliance Economy spokesperson Cllr Ian James Parsley

Alliance Economy spokesperson Ian James Parsley has said in action by the Executive is leaving parents, patients and commuters angry and frustrated by the lack of clarity about the future of education and health.

The North Down Councillor stated: "We are a low-tax party, but not at the expense of reforming our education, health and transport systems to make them more integrated and efficient.

"The Executive has no coherent policies on reform of the post-primary school transfer system, overhaul of long-term health care or delivery of an effective public transport system. As a result these have been left of the ofthe Executive's spending plans - leaving them completely unfunded.

"People are only now grasping the extent of the chaos. Parents and pupils now face the prospect of grammar schools setting their own transfer tests because the relevant Minister has not detailed her vision, and there is now no finance available for any kind of reform at all. Patients are left occupying hospital beds because the relevant Minister has not secured the up-front funding for the right drugs. Commuters will be in congested trapped incongested traffic for many more years because the relevant Minister has not pressed for money to be allocated to a light-rail system.

"The Alliance Party has no problem with low taxes, but not if they come at the expense of basic public services. A low-tax society matched by world-class education, health and transport structures requires balanced investment now. More and more people are realising they are being sold sought by Ministers' fundamental incapacity to put forward detailed, ambitious policies matched by appropriate funding.

"There is now real anger and frustration being felt by parents, patients and many other people - and no amount of waffle or double speak will put that right."

ENDS