Requests for the Executive to discuss rates reforms that would raise added revenue for Stormont have been knocked back on four occasions, the Finance minister has revealed.
Caoimhe Archibald made clear that the DUP was responsible for preventing her paper getting on to the agenda of the Executive.
Last week, Ms Archibald told MLAs that, due to the delays, a deadline had passed to allow the proposed measures to be implemented in time for the next financial year.
The revenue raising plan includes raising the cap on rates bills that applies to householders living in more expensive homes.
Ms Archibald was seeking an Executive discussion on the plans and a green light from her ministerial colleagues to put the proposals out for public consultation ahead of any final decisions.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (PA)
Papers can only go on the Executive agenda if Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle O’Neill and DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly jointly agree to it.
On Tuesday, Sinn Fein minister Ms Archibald left the Assembly in no doubt who she believed was responsible for the blockage as she noted that all Executive parties other than the DUP backed her plan.
In response to an Assembly question from party colleague Nicola Brogan, the minister told the chamber she passed the paper to the Executive Office on October 10.
“I subsequently asked for my paper to be considered at four meetings of the Executive – on October 17, and November 7, 11 and 21,” she said.
“I also wrote to colleagues to outline the potential implications of the paper not being tabled to allow for any potential changes to be implemented in April 2025.
“It is regrettable that despite having cross party – from my own party colleagues, from Alliance and from UUP – support, to date that paper has not been tabled for discussion at the Executive.
“I am not alone in sharing the view that such important matters should be discussed collectively at the Executive.”
Mr Archibald told the Assembly she felt it was important that the wider Executive discussed the “general direction of policy” in regard to rates before proposals were sent out for public consultation.