FDA response to PAC report on Major Capital Projects: Ministers need to take responsibility
FDA National Officer Robert Murtagh has said ministers “need to take responsibility” for overspend on major capital projects in Northern Ireland.
The latest report from the Northern Ireland Assembly Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) on Major Capital Projects criticised an overspend of more than £3bn.
Responding to the report’s publication, Murtagh said: “Nobody wants to see this kind of overspend on capital projects, especially our members in the NICS.
“These projects have progressed against a backdrop of political instability at Stormont, in which we haven’t had a functioning Executive for the majority of the past 8 years. The fact this coincided with a period of rapid inflation in recent years created a perfect storm leading to the kind of overspend we’ve seen.
“It’s obviously right for the PAC to review why this has happened and our members will welcome steps to prevent this kind of overspend in the future. The NICS has already undertaken a review of the root causes for delays and cost overruns and implemented recommendations from previous reports from the NIAO and PAC on major capital projects.
“However, this isn’t something the civil service can address on its own – it requires political leadership. When the Committee speaks about a need to review leadership, it’s unfair to point the finger solely a civil servants. It is ministers who are elected by the public to deliver on these projects and they need to take responsibility.”
His comments were featured in Civil Service World.
Latest news
-
“Farcical” to wait until 2030 to make decision on restoration and renewal of parliament, says FDA
The FDA has responded to the latest publication of UK Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal Board, ‘Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals.’
-
NICS reform can only be delivered with political leadership, says FDA
The FDA has called for strong political leadership to address the structural issues facing the Northern Ireland Civil Service, in response to the NI Audit Office report, ‘Capacity and Capability: Follow Up Report’.
-
FDA Ofsted report 2025: The people behind inspections
After a barrage of media criticism and calls for abolition, it’s been a difficult period for His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI). Tommy Newell outlines the findings of the FDA’s recent report, revealing the reality of parents’ and educators’ views of Ofsted, and what HMIs need for an inspection system fit for the future.