SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
She was speaking after an SDLP Opposition motion was passed which urged the Executive to re-establish the Executive sub-committee on Reform and to include specific outcomes on reform in the Programme for Government.
Ms McLaughlin said: “The latest NIAO report makes it painfully clear that while we may acknowledge the lessons learned from the RHI scandal, the Executive is still failing to act decisively on them.
“This is a grave disservice to the people of Northern Ireland, who expect not just words but actions to ensure good governance, transparency, and accountability at the highest levels.
“Stormont must urgently move beyond recognition of these issues to concrete action. We’ve spent nearly £13 million on an inquiry, and yet the pace of change has been dishearteningly slow.
“It’s clear that real reform will not happen unless there is a renewed commitment across all Executive departments to prioritise these recommendations, change the way Stormont operates and restore public trust.
“Confidence in these institutions is eroded every time parties fail to follow through on their promises.
“The people of Northern Ireland deserve a government that is accountable and effective, they deserve to know that every possible step is being taken to ensure that scandals like the RHI can never happen again.
“It is now up to the Executive to deliver the reforms we so urgently need.”
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