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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| SDLP leader denies party division | SDLP leader denies party division |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| SDLP leader Mark Durkan has denied his party is divided over whether to support the Northern Ireland Assembly budget and programme for government. | SDLP leader Mark Durkan has denied his party is divided over whether to support the Northern Ireland Assembly budget and programme for government. |
| Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie was the party's only MLA to vote for the programme for government. | Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie was the party's only MLA to vote for the programme for government. |
| However, Mr Durkan said this was because changes to the ministerial code meant Ms Ritchie had no choice. | However, Mr Durkan said this was because changes to the ministerial code meant Ms Ritchie had no choice. |
| The assembly is to debate and vote on Finance Minister Peter Robinson's first budget on Tuesday. | The assembly is to debate and vote on Finance Minister Peter Robinson's first budget on Tuesday. |
| Mr Robinson published his draft budget last October and a final version was agreed by the executive last week. | Mr Robinson published his draft budget last October and a final version was agreed by the executive last week. |
| The SDLP and Alliance Party are expected to vote against the budget, although the DUP, Sinn Fein and Ulster Unionists are set to back it. | The SDLP and Alliance Party are expected to vote against the budget, although the DUP, Sinn Fein and Ulster Unionists are set to back it. |
| On Monday night, the assembly voted in favour of the programme for government and investment strategy. | On Monday night, the assembly voted in favour of the programme for government and investment strategy. |
| It was passed by 60 votes to 24, with the SDLP and Alliance Party voting against it. | It was passed by 60 votes to 24, with the SDLP and Alliance Party voting against it. |
| Mr Durkan said his party decided to vote against the programme for government because it was unclear on many issues including water reform, post-primary school reform and the health budget. | Mr Durkan said his party decided to vote against the programme for government because it was unclear on many issues including water reform, post-primary school reform and the health budget. |
| "If Ms Ritchie had not supported the programme for government, the DUP would have excluded her from office," he said. | "If Ms Ritchie had not supported the programme for government, the DUP would have excluded her from office," he said. |
| "We have a mandate to do what we are doing, we are standing by our manifesto." | "We have a mandate to do what we are doing, we are standing by our manifesto." |
| Click here to view the assembly proceedings via the Northern Ireland Assembly website | |
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