What is the DFP Minister hiding?
12 October 2010
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-
“For one so quick to jump in with both feet to attack the Judiciary, DFP Minister, Sammy Wilson, is notably tardy about answering correspondence he’d rather avoid.
“4 months ago on 12th June I raised with him the subject of a DUP climbdown on Sinn Fein drivers being paid from public funds. 17 weeks later he has still to reply!
“The letter was straightforward, asking factual questions which should not have stretched any Minister, even a double-jobber:
Dear Minister,
I have had previous correspondence about Sinn Fein's ministerial drivers. I would like to be updated as to any changes which have occurred and, in particular, if Sinn Fein's ministerial drivers are now paid from public funds, directly or indirectly? If they are now so paid, when did that change occur and in what circumstances? Have the rules or provision governing their deployment otherwise changed in any regard?
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
“When devolution was established in 2007 Sinn Fein Ministers refused the official drivers and insisted on being driven by their own henchmen and party supporters. In response then DFP Minister, Peter Robinson, quite properly refused to allow them to be paid from public funds. Now, I believe, this is set to change and the activists who drive IRA/Sinn Fein Ministers are to be paid by the hard-pressed taxpayer. Indeed, such is the audacity of Sinn Fein that they have sought back-payment for 3 years.
“Official drivers are available from the Civil Service pool. There should, therefore, be no question of hand-picked organisational hacks, chosen for ulterior reasons and one of whom is believed to be a Minister’s partner, being paid by the taxpayer and Sinn Fein allowed to operate outside the regulated system on its own terms.
“The question is why is the DUP making this shameful climb-down and allowing Sinn Fein to abuse the system? It is part of the ongoing concessions constantly proffered to keep Sinn Fein happy. This is how the shambles that passes for government at Stormont works. Sops to IRA/Sinn Fein do not just occur on the big occasions but are part of the daily diet of government. The scrutiny committees, which ought to be probing these issues, are complicitly inactive. Why have Unionists on the DFP Committee not been probing the proposed shameful funding of IRA/Sinn Fein activists under the guise of drivers?”
