Millions of pounds are being sucked out of the Northern Ireland Executive's budget in administrative costs because the government is too big, one of its ministers claimed today.
Four days after the Executive announced a review of public administration in Northern Ireland, Regional Development Minister Mr Peter Robinson called for the number of Assembly members and the size of the government to be reduced.
The Democratic Unionist deputy leader told reporters there was no need in a region the size of Northern Ireland for 108 Assembly members and 11 government departments.
"Something in the region of £90 million in additional funds has been required because of the changes from six government departments pre-devolution to 10 plus the Office of First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM)," he said.
"In fact, Trimble has built up OFMDFM to take in all kinds of responsibilities, with more civil servants in that private office than anywhere else and half a dozen or so special advisers on top salaries.
"That is a waste of taxpayers' money."
The East Belfast MP also queried having six MLAs in the Assembly for every constituency, claiming Northern Ireland's size did not justify it.
Scotland, with a population of approximately 5.1 million, has 129 MSPs, 10 senior cabinet ministers.
Wales, with a population of 2.9 million, has 60 members of the National Assembly and eight cabinet ministers.
Mr Robinson continued: "You cannot argue there should be 108 Assembly members for a population of one and a half million - especially when you compare it to Scotland or Wales. It's as simple as that."
On Tuesday, First Minister Mr David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mr Mark Durkan announced plans to review how power is administered in Northern Ireland.
The review, which is the biggest probe of its type to be held in 30 years, will look at whether the number of councils, health and education boards and quangos should be reduced and whether some powers should be transferred from the Stormont Executive to local government.
It is expected to last three years.
PA