Following the report’s publication, Parry said:
“The report recognises the urgent need for a decision to be made on the Restoration and Renewal programme, which the FDA has long been calling for, and which has been kicked down the road by successive governments for far too long.
“Delaying the decision on enhanced maintenance versus a full decant of the estate until 2030 leaves MPs and staff with an unsafe workplace and places them at greater risk of a catastrophic incident.”
The National Officer reiterated the FDA’s calls for a full decant of the estate, saying:
“We have long called for a full decant of the estate as the quickest and most cost-effective way to make parliament safe, and the only measure that will adequately address safety and security concerns. We urge the government to take decisive action and not allow the situation to deteriorate further.“The report also highlights that delays will only cost taxpayers more – adding an additional £420 million every year the decision is delayed.”
FDA Assistant General Secretary Lauren Crowley and Head of Organising and Learning Deri Bevan attended the launch of the National School for Government and Public Services on behalf of the FDA.
As the political temperature rises in the lead up to Northern Ireland’s May election, the FDA’s National Officer for Northern Ireland Robert Murtagh has once again called on MLAs to “keep civil servants out of the political crossfire.”
FDA General Secretary Dave Penman spoke as part of the Bright Blue Panel ‘can AI improve public services?’ at Conservative Party Conference 2026 on Monday 5 October.
