MLAs paid £12m since collapse of Stormont, reveals MP Hermon
STORMONT politicians have been paid £12m since the suspension of the Assembly, it has been revealed.
Lady Sylvia Hermon told MPs they should recognise the anger over the bill during an urgent question on restoring devolution, which has been out of action for two years.
Challenging Northern Ireland Secretary of State Karen Bradley over whether she had “done her homework”, Lady Hermon announced the figure for MLAs’ salaries.
The independent unionist MP for North Down said: “Can I ask if she really appreciates the deep sense of anger, continuing anger, among the general public in Northern Ireland that MLAs continue to receive their salaries with only minor reductions?
“The last time I asked how much it had cost the taxpayer to pay MLA salaries since the collapse of the Assembly two years ago in January 2017, unfortunately, she wasn’t able to tell me.
“But I’m confident she has done her homework since then and will be able to (confirm) to this House and the public whether it is £12m which has been paid in salaries to MLAs when they have not been doing their full job.”
Mrs Bradley said she would write to Lady Hermon with the most “up-to-date” figure.
She added: “I do understand that anger and I do hear that anger — I hear that anger every day in Northern Ireland.
“I know that people want to see their politicians back doing the job they were elected to do.”
However, Mrs Bradley failed to rule out Westminster taking direct control of politics here.
Asked if she was considering reverting to direct rule as political parties continue to fail to come to an agreement over power-sharing, Mrs Bradley only said she was looking to get a deal done as soon as possible.
Former Northern Ireland secretary Owen Paterson said the region needed “political direction”, adding: “There comes a point where I think we are responsible for the lives of citizens in Northern Ireland.
“I ask the Secretary of State, although very reluctantly, has she begun to consider taking powers back into this House for what one would hope would be a brief period to deliver public benefits?
Mrs Bradley said she “shares (the) exasperation that the parties have been unable to come together to find an agreement”.
But she added: “My priority is finding that basis, finding the way for the parties to come together, because there is no good, long-term, sustainable way that decisions can be made for the people of Northern Ireland, except if locally elected politicians make them.”
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said the preconditions of one party should not be allowed to hold back progress.
The North Belfast MP added: “As we approach the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, it will be vital that ministers are in place in Northern Ireland to ensure decisions are taken following that event. The decisions that will be required cannot be taken under the current scenario.
“The reason, however, that devolution is not functioning is down to the preconditions set by one party. Four of the five main parties would restore the Assembly immediately.
“It is Sinn Fein which talks of Brexit as an existential threat, yet boycotts the House of Commons and boycotts the Assembly.
“We need to move forward without preconditions, and the DUP supports any talks or process which can allow that to happen.”