Brendan Hughes: Parties playing delay blame game with stadia funding – Brendan Hughes

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A fortnight on from the DUP collapsing the Executive, the true impact of the move is the subject of heated debate at Stormont.

While rivals are blaming the partys walkout for inaction over key decisions, the DUP is in turn accusing them of making excuses for their own failures in office.

The main battleground this week was a 36.2million program to redevelop local sub-regional football stadiums.

Sinn Fein Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey claimed she could not progress the scheme, arguing the long-delayed program had to be placed on hold until a functioning administration is back in place.

It is not my fault people walked out of the Executive, she told MLAs.

The DUP disputed this position, accusing Ms Hargey of political games. It drew contrast with Sinn Fein Finance Minister Conor Murphys insistence that the redevelopment of the GAAs Casement Park in West Belfast can continue.

In an apparent U-turn some days later, Ms Hargey said she would be writing to other ministers still in post to look at what ways we can find to get over the hurdles of having no Executive.

There was less ambiguity over the draft three-year budget, which Mr Murphy after seeking legal advice said cannot proceed without Executive sign-off. As the proposals prioritized funds to tackle spiraling hospital waiting lists, he said the DUP should be apologizing for the damage it is inflicting on the health service.

But the DUPs Keith Buchanan hit back, reminding MLAs of the three-year collapse of the Executive after Sinn Fein walked out in response to the RHI scandal.

A view of Casement Park in Belfast (Image: INPHO/James Crombie)

Surely a case of amnesia from the members on the far side of the house, purely for political gain, he said

Ironically, the confusion and problems over Executive decision-making come at a time when the Assembly has never seemed busier.

With just five weeks left of sittings, MLAs are seeking to work through as much outstanding legislation as possible within the tight time frame.

Four Private Members Bills on issues from fair employment to fracking have already fallen as the Assembly acknowledged there was no realistic prospect of them being completed. Extra sitting days have been planned in a bid to maximize the time available for politicians to consider and vote on other bills remaining in the system.

The DUP will point to this work continuing to fend off criticism from rivals that its protest over Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol has caused power-sharing paralysis.

Further bills may still fall at the final hurdle due to time constraints, but MLAs are hopeful much of the key legislation can be passed before the mandate ends.

The DUP withdrawing Paul Givan as First Minister, also removing Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill as a result, has undoubtedly had implications on the ability of remaining ministers to make some significant decisions.

But with Mays Assembly election on the horizon, it also suits their political opponents to talk up the problems.

This will inevitably lead to more claims and counterclaims about what decisions ministers can and cannot take in the lead-up to polling day.

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