Daithí
10-18-2007, 08:56 PM
Sinn Fein and SDLP Ministers have clashed after a tense executive meeting at Stormont Castle.
SDLP Minister Margaret Ritchie expressed dismay over how colleagues responded to her decision to axe funding for a UDA-linked initiative.
The executive did not vote on the principle of her decision to cut £1.2m in loyalist funding. But it did adopt minutes which Ms Ritchie contested.
It put on record she had agreed not to act without consulting colleagues.
On her way out, Ms Ritchie accused Sinn Fein of voting with the DUP against her and both parties of trying to control other ministers.
"I was outvoted by the DUP and Sinn Fein on what the Executive had decided in relation to my statement on the Conflict Transformation Initiative-Ulster Defence Association related project," she said.
"The two Ulster Unionist ministers voted with me. I believe that this sets a dangerous precedent as it allows the DUP and Sinn Fein to control other ministers by controlling all decisions.
"I am firm in the belief that I have behaved properly at all times and the decision I have taken to end the funding was correct, was proper and in my conscience was the right thing to do."
www.bbc.co.uk
SDLP Minister Margaret Ritchie expressed dismay over how colleagues responded to her decision to axe funding for a UDA-linked initiative.
The executive did not vote on the principle of her decision to cut £1.2m in loyalist funding. But it did adopt minutes which Ms Ritchie contested.
It put on record she had agreed not to act without consulting colleagues.
On her way out, Ms Ritchie accused Sinn Fein of voting with the DUP against her and both parties of trying to control other ministers.
"I was outvoted by the DUP and Sinn Fein on what the Executive had decided in relation to my statement on the Conflict Transformation Initiative-Ulster Defence Association related project," she said.
"The two Ulster Unionist ministers voted with me. I believe that this sets a dangerous precedent as it allows the DUP and Sinn Fein to control other ministers by controlling all decisions.
"I am firm in the belief that I have behaved properly at all times and the decision I have taken to end the funding was correct, was proper and in my conscience was the right thing to do."
www.bbc.co.uk