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Monthly Archives: October 2016
Executive continuing to shy away from financial transparency – Beggs
Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has expressed his surprise at a response by the Finance Minister that the Executive has never discussed the 2012 Finance Committee recommendation that the “relevant financial documents, including Budgets, Estimates and Resource Accounts are simplified and harmonised to increase transparency.” The East Antrim MLA said: “The distribution of public funds, particularly through the Executive’s budgetary process, has long been criticised for being convoluted and total devoid of public and political transparency. As a result, political scrutiny is difficult and public participation in the setting and influencing of how public funds are spent here is virtually impossible. “In 2012, after an extensive investigation, the previous Finance and Personnel Committee published a report which made the sensible recommendation that Executive financial measures, such as Budgets, Estimates and Resource Accounts be ‘simplified and harmonised to increase transparency’. “Such a change in policy, whilst easily deliverable, would be a … Continue reading
Beggs amazed Justice Department doesn’t know how much it costs for Road Traffic prosecutions
East Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has expressed amazement that the Department of Justice is not able to provide estimates of the cost of administrating a road traffic prosecution in a Magistrate Court. Mr Beggs said; “I asked The Minister of Justice what is the average cost of administering a road traffic prosecution in the Magistrate Court when the defendant has pleaded guilty; and to detail the breakdown of such costs? “The Department detailed that 10,195 defendants pleaded guilty in NI to at least one road traffic offence last year but went on to advise that ‘it is not possible to calculate an average cost for a particular type of case without entailing a disproportionate cost.’ “A recent Criminal Justice Inspectorate Report stated that ‘The administration of road traffic enforcement could be improved. When traffic cases had to go to court, utilising a centralised Traffic Court system with a … Continue reading
UUP ‘making political gain’ over patient waiting lists
The Ulster Unionists have been accused of scaremongering over claims almost 400,000 people are waiting on healthcare treatment in Northern Ireland. During an Assembly debate on Tuesday, the party’s East Antrim MLA, Roy Beggs, said one in five people here are currently on a waiting list for treatment. He again repeated his claim on Wednesday morning’s Stephen Nolan show. Asked if he was “double counting” with the 392,000 figure – meaning one person could feature multiple times in his figures – Mr Beggs denied that was the case. “If the (health) minister would publish exactly how many individuals are involved, we’d be able to say exactly how many people there were.” Eventually, Mr Beggs conceded to using the term “cases” instead of people. He added: “What we can say is there are 392,000 people on government waiting lists for out-patients, for in-patients clearly they are two separate lists. And a … Continue reading
Beggs Continues To Lobby For Investment In GP Services
East Antrim Assemblyman Roy Beggs MLA has continued to lobby the Health Minister for investment in Helath centres in both Carrickfergus and Larne. Mr Beggs asked the Health Minister “What plans has she to invest in General Practice Centres in Carrickfergus and Larne, to enable more patients to be treated locally?” In response to Roy Beggs, the Minister said “Both Carrickfergus and Larne have also been identified as possible hubs within the Northern Trust area and are included in the Health and Social Care Board’s draft Strategic Implementation Plan which sets out proposals for future investment in primary care infrastructure. Delivery of these facilities will have to be considered alongside other capital investment priorities and will be dependent on future budget availability, confirmation of value for money, and affordability.” Mr Beggs responded stating “There is a clear need to improve the dated Taylors Avenue and Gloucester Avenue Health Centres. Investment … Continue reading
Ulster Unionist Party under fire over claim 392000 waiting on health treatment
The Ulster Unionist Party claimed almost 400,000 people in Northern Ireland are waiting for treatment. Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs The Ulster Unionist Party has come under fire for claiming almost 400,000 people are waiting for treatment in Northern Ireland. In the Assembly on Tuesday, the party’s East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs said one in five people in Northern Ireland were currently on a waiting list for treatment. More: Anger as half of £40m to cut Northern Ireland waiting lists spent elsewhere The DUP branded the claim “irresponsible and at worst scaremongering” saying the matter was something which should not be used for political gain. Mr Beggs again repeated his claim on Wednesday morning’s Stephen Nolan show. When asked if he was “double counting” with the 392,000 figure – that there could be the possibility one person could feature multiple times on a waiting list – Mr Beggs denied that was … Continue reading
