14/02/2002
DUP leader says extra £16m for police service is "not enough"
The Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley has said an extra £16 million pledged for policing in Northern Ireland is "not enough".
Security Minister Jane Kennedy announced the extra funding in the House of Commons on Wednesday February 13, which takes the total funding for the service to £656 million.
But Mr Paisley said while he welcomed the additional money, further resources were needed. He said the police service was facing a deficit of up to £40 million this year and that it was time the Government stopped paying "lip service and started to provide money required to protect the people of Northern Ireland".
Meanwhile DUP colleague Sammy Wilson said that he believed what was needed was a proper baseline assessment of financial requirements - over the next three years - so that the PSNI would not be left with the prospect of a massive deficit each year.
Mr Wilson said: "Millions of pounds are being squandered on pandering to demands to nationalists. Nearly £2.5 million of the overspend this year was due to additional costs for the inquiries which nationalists demanded into the murders of Rosemary Nelson and Pat Finucane. The cost of these two inquiries to date has been a massive £5.2 million.
"The police service does not need more funds. Currently it is 1,200 officers understrength and there is a general dissatisfaction about aspects of the service by the public. The [Police] Board needs to fight for more funds but we also have a duty to ensure that they are not squandered on politically motivated projects which have no benefit to the general public." (AMcE)
Security Minister Jane Kennedy announced the extra funding in the House of Commons on Wednesday February 13, which takes the total funding for the service to £656 million.
But Mr Paisley said while he welcomed the additional money, further resources were needed. He said the police service was facing a deficit of up to £40 million this year and that it was time the Government stopped paying "lip service and started to provide money required to protect the people of Northern Ireland".
Meanwhile DUP colleague Sammy Wilson said that he believed what was needed was a proper baseline assessment of financial requirements - over the next three years - so that the PSNI would not be left with the prospect of a massive deficit each year.
Mr Wilson said: "Millions of pounds are being squandered on pandering to demands to nationalists. Nearly £2.5 million of the overspend this year was due to additional costs for the inquiries which nationalists demanded into the murders of Rosemary Nelson and Pat Finucane. The cost of these two inquiries to date has been a massive £5.2 million.
"The police service does not need more funds. Currently it is 1,200 officers understrength and there is a general dissatisfaction about aspects of the service by the public. The [Police] Board needs to fight for more funds but we also have a duty to ensure that they are not squandered on politically motivated projects which have no benefit to the general public." (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 June 2002
NI Hospice require £1m to avert funding crisis
The Northern Ireland Hospice has asked the Northern Ireland Executive’s Health Minister Bairbre de Brún to step in and avert a major funding crisis. The hospice said they needed an “immediate injection of one million pounds” if it is to maintain current levels of service.
NI Hospice require £1m to avert funding crisis
The Northern Ireland Hospice has asked the Northern Ireland Executive’s Health Minister Bairbre de Brún to step in and avert a major funding crisis. The hospice said they needed an “immediate injection of one million pounds” if it is to maintain current levels of service.
10 November 2025
Justice Minister Attends NI Prison Service Annual Memorial Service
Justice Minister Naomi Long today attended the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) Annual Memorial Service, held at the Memorial Garden at Hydebank Wood, to pay tribute to the officers who lost their lives while serving.
Justice Minister Attends NI Prison Service Annual Memorial Service
Justice Minister Naomi Long today attended the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) Annual Memorial Service, held at the Memorial Garden at Hydebank Wood, to pay tribute to the officers who lost their lives while serving.
18 June 2007
NI Court Service launch online claims service
The Northern Ireland Court Service has launched an online small claims service today. ‘Small Claims Online’ is an innovative IT service which allows members of the public and businesses to access the Small Claims Court over the internet is a first for the courts here.
NI Court Service launch online claims service
The Northern Ireland Court Service has launched an online small claims service today. ‘Small Claims Online’ is an innovative IT service which allows members of the public and businesses to access the Small Claims Court over the internet is a first for the courts here.
21 January 2003
Water service reform needed says NIO Minister
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Angela Smith has said that the current arrangements for water and sewerage delivery would have to be reformed to ensure that future water charges are fair and affordable.
Water service reform needed says NIO Minister
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Angela Smith has said that the current arrangements for water and sewerage delivery would have to be reformed to ensure that future water charges are fair and affordable.
06 October 2004
Water Service to invest £47 million in Coleraine area
The Water Service has announced plans to start work on £47 million worth of projects in the Coleraine area over the next three years. The investment will see work carried out on the £42 million North Coast Wastewater Treatment Works, which will treat wastewater from Castlerock, Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart.
Water Service to invest £47 million in Coleraine area
The Water Service has announced plans to start work on £47 million worth of projects in the Coleraine area over the next three years. The investment will see work carried out on the £42 million North Coast Wastewater Treatment Works, which will treat wastewater from Castlerock, Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.