Executive ‘gridlock’ so bad a spreadsheet is needed to track ‘blocked’ papers

A Stormont minister has claimed “gridlock” within the Executive has got so bad that a spreadsheet has been created to keep track of all the policy proposals being blocked by the DUP.

Agriculture minister Andrew Muir expressed his frustration as he told MLAs he was waiting for agreement on six papers. He said he had been waiting nearly a year on one of those – a paper on a green growth strategy.

The minister laid the blame for the hold-ups squarely on the DUP.

Mr Muir was responding to an Assembly question from his party colleague John Blair, who had asked for an update on the minister’s work to establish a Just Transition Commission to manage decarbonisation.

The minister said setting up a commission was a “legal obligation” under the Climate Change Act.

“I’m determined to deliver upon it,” he said.

“We consulted upon the regulations and I’m seeking Executive agreement in regards to those. I’ve been seeking Executive agreement for those since September, and hopefully we get agreement for that so we can set up the Just Transition Commission and provide delivery on what is the key principle of the climate change legislation, but should be a key principle in all our policies in terms of a fair and just way forward.”

Mr Blair said the delay was “concerning” and asked for further information on other papers awaiting Executive approval.

Mr Muir replied: “As Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, I’m committed to powersharing, I’m committed to working with my Executive colleagues, but I am finding it increasingly frustrating in terms of the gridlock that we’re having in terms of getting papers agreed by the Executive, to such an extent that we’re now having to maintain a spreadsheet of the papers we’re looking to get agreement on.

“I’m waiting for agreement on six papers at the Executive. One paper has been waiting for nearly a year. It’s a green growth strategy.

“We’re waiting for an agreement on a paper in relation to an independent Environmental Protection Agency, in relation to ways we can improve our levels of recycling, a fisheries and water environment Bill, and also a technical paper in terms of sheep carcass classification.

“There has been engagement with the Executive Office in regards to this, but it’s important at the next Executive meeting that we can progress these papers.

“I’m doing the work, and I need others to be able to support me and allow us to be able to progress it.

“It is extremely frustrating that there’s gridlock at the Executive due to one party, which is the DUP.”