Just add it to the rest of the bill, Pete.

But I wouldn't ask Britain for a gratuity! ;-)

A third of the cost of Saville. I don't begrudge it,
a structure has to be there for "when" this mess is finally sorted out.

Scandalous IMHO. I'm sure a few hospitals in the region could have done with some of that, even just the £23.2m relating to members, parties & other dossers.

Just over double what was stolen from the Northern, anyone know who was responsible for this robbery?

Maca

``I'm sure a few hospitals in the region could have done with some of that, even just the £23.2m relating to members, parties & other dossers.''

No doubt, but that's always a bogus argument. There's no way a single hospital in the north would have seen a penny extra anyway.

You could be an optimist and instead look at it this way: our inestimable political class has taken £53 million away from the budget of the British army, thereby seriously reducing its killing-and-torturing-in-Iraq capability.

£53 million to keep our 108 damnations up at Stormont? Cheap at twice the price just to keep them off the streets.

Where was Ian Person on the night in question??

"No doubt, but that's always a bogus argument."

Of course. Awful waste of money though, IMHO.

Why do you think Sylvia keeps asking this question??? I'm fairly sure most people are aware it costs money to run the Assembly even when suspended. Perhaps she should have a word with her colleagues and other polticians and ask them what they plan to do about getting our develved government back!

or even our devolved government!! (DOH!)

"A third of the cost of Saville. I don't begrudge it, a structure has to be there for "when" this mess is finally sorted out." - Davros

That's easy for you to say with a full belly.

People need to realise that those who stood for election to the Assembly and were elected - many of these members have given up their careers to pursue politics and representing their people in their constituencys.
Im aware of many Assembly members who actually get paid less than their previous careers to represent their area. Also, even though the Assembly is not sitting, these members are still representing their constituents at their offices and at meetings etc etc etc.
This whole pay structure argument is for the ignorant and the begrudgers.

TroubledTimes

"Im aware of many Assembly members who actually get paid less than their previous careers ..."

Name them. (Apart from Bob)

"A third of the cost of Saville."

Demonstrates the cost of Saville in comparison to the price of democracy. Would raise the question - is the Saville inquiry worth it?

I am not sure if the likes of P.A.C. can investigate such things as the Saville inquiry to see if 'waste' has occured. Anyone know?

If they could I would highly recommend it.

However I think the Government should consider two options:

1st, Allow the Assembly to operate under the direct rule ministers as they stand at the moment. Whereby they can be questioned in the current Assembly. This makes things more democratic in holding the unelected ministers to account and gives the MLA's a voice and also something to do. Esp if suspension is here to stay for a while.

2nd, Suspend the MLA's salaries until further notice inline with the Assembly's suspension.

However the 1st option could be modified if a Coalition Government is allowed to be formed excluding Sinn Fein.

A fair price if they were doing their job, but if their job consists of extended ongoing constitutional wrangling, shouldn't there be an all-NI and more inclusive franchise.

The only thing that got the parties negotiating the first time were people like the WC UDP PUP Labour.

Lets have another 'Top Ten' election.

The big parties didn't know what to expect.

It was fun.

You guys just don't get it.

The republicans maybe make off with 29 million in a Hollywood fantasy caper and there's an instant shitstorm.

The legit parties make off with 53 million and no one has called 999 or 112 yet.

DUH!!!