By Paul McGill from NICVA
Published on 30 Jan 2007
Press releases are flooding out of government departments as Ministers clear their desks in preparation for an election to a new Northern Ireland Assembly.
NI Government Departments have had a busy week
Ministers Hanson, Eagle, Cairns and Goggins were all busy signing off new announcements on Monday, launching consultations or making appointments to public bodies. Peter Hain, Secretary of State, commented on the Sinn Fein decision on policing the previous day.
On top of that he issued three press releases, including what may be the farewell gift of an extra 10 days holiday for all employees in Northern Ireland, though it is only a proposal for consultation.
The torrent of announcements may reflect renewed optimism that Northern Ireland will soon have devolved government and that the Direct Rule ministers will be packing their bags.
Or the word may have gone out that an election will definitely be held and that we will soon be entering purdah – the period in the run up to voting day when government is not supposed to make any important policy decisions or controversial announcements.
NICVA has already heard of one event in Derry being postponed because its timing might be politically sensitive.
So some files that have been sitting in filing cabinets for some time are being taken out and looked at again before it is too late to do anything about them.
Peter Hain’s junior ministers joined the torrent with announcements on every topic under the sun, and others that may never see the moon.
The Department of Education, headed by Minister Maria Eagle, yesterday announced new members for two Education and Library Boards and the North-South autism centre, refused public funding for an Irish-medium school in Glengormley and launched a new policy on English as an additional language (EAL), an important issue for migrant workers in particular.
Wearing her Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment hat, Ms Eagle gave an update on regeneration of West Belfast and the Shankill and promised to improve road safety.
Equally prolific was the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, with statements about the older people’s champion, a minister opening new premises for NCH Children’s Charity; additional funding for families and parents and two announcements about the Maze/Long Kesh stadium project.
Minister Paul Goggins in Health led on new investment for orthopaedic services and for speech and language therapy for children and a policy on sexual violence.
Over in Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister David Cairns, had a renewable energy plan, a report on inshore fisheries and a one-stop-shop in Enniskillen.
David Hanson, Minister for Social Development, launched a consultation on industrial injuries, announced the new charities legislation and has proposals to transform Belfast city centre streets.
The Department of Finance and Personnel issued the latest Northern Ireland Health and Wellbeing Survey and the Department of the environment got in on the act with new appointments to the Historic Buildings Council.
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