Finance Minister John O'Dowd has welcomed the Assembly's approval of both the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill and the Fiscal Council Bill.

Speaking after the debates, the Minister emphasised the value of robust legislation in shaping effective public services and ensuring transparency through explicit legal responsibilities and oversight. The Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill was brought forward through a collaborative effort across multiple departments to deliver a wide range of measures within a single, streamlined piece of legislation. It places several existing public activities, which previously relied solely on the authority of the Budget Act, onto a clearer statutory footing. According to the Minister, these measures are designed to modernise public services, strengthen accountability, and provide better tools to support the economy, the education sector, and the marine environment, while ultimately protecting citizens and delivering improved outcomes for local communities.

Additionally, Minister O'Dowd highlighted the positive impact made by the Fiscal Council since its non-statutory establishment in 2021, noting its role in improving the transparency, scrutiny, and general understanding of public finances.

The finalised legislation legally secures the Council's independence, granting it a broad and flexible remit to assess and comment on the sustainability of public finances. The Minister welcomed the ongoing, rigorous scrutiny that these new legislative safeguards will bring to the management of public funds.