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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Ministers fail to cut questions | Ministers fail to cut questions |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| An assembly committee has rejected a suggestion that the first and deputy first ministers should answer assembly questions just once a month. | An assembly committee has rejected a suggestion that the first and deputy first ministers should answer assembly questions just once a month. |
| It is understood the recommendation comes despite Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness seeking to change from twice monthly questions to once per month. | It is understood the recommendation comes despite Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness seeking to change from twice monthly questions to once per month. |
| This would be in line with other Stormont departments. | This would be in line with other Stormont departments. |
| The committee also rules out allowing junior ministers to step in for the first and deputy first ministers. | The committee also rules out allowing junior ministers to step in for the first and deputy first ministers. |
| When the ministers urged the assembly's procedures committee to reduce their question time appearances, they were criticised by the SDLP and Ulster Unionists. | When the ministers urged the assembly's procedures committee to reduce their question time appearances, they were criticised by the SDLP and Ulster Unionists. |
| Last autumn, the ministers claimed that as a single department they should be treated the same as other ministers who faced questions just once a month. | Last autumn, the ministers claimed that as a single department they should be treated the same as other ministers who faced questions just once a month. |
| But critics pointed out that the Welsh and Scottish first ministers answer questions every week. | But critics pointed out that the Welsh and Scottish first ministers answer questions every week. |
| The BBC has learned that the committee has decided against any change. | The BBC has learned that the committee has decided against any change. |
| However, its report which is due to be released next week does agree that junior ministers should in future be allowed to answer questions specific to their brief when appropriate. | However, its report which is due to be released next week does agree that junior ministers should in future be allowed to answer questions specific to their brief when appropriate. |
| Assembly members will consider the report. If they vote to accept its recommendations the first and deputy first ministers will obliged to follow them. | Assembly members will consider the report. If they vote to accept its recommendations the first and deputy first ministers will obliged to follow them. |