McGuinness failing to query Paisley jnr - SDLP

SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell has accused Martin McGuinness of "sitting there smiling" while junior minister Ian Paisley…

SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell has accused Martin McGuinness of "sitting there smiling" while junior minister Ian Paisley jnr is embroiled in a planning controversy over the Giant's Causeway.

"Martin McGuinness has special responsibility in the Executive," the South Belfast MP said.

"His job is to question and challenge Ian Paisley jnr. We need a signal from him that Ian jnr either did okay in relation to the Giant's Causeway or that he broke the rules." He accused the Deputy First Minister of a "conspiracy of silence".

Sinn Féin's Daithí McKay, an Assembly member for North Antrim alongside Mr Paisley jnr, accused Dr McDonnell of politicking.

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Mr Paisley jnr lobbied the British government on a proposed visitors' centre at the Giant's Causeway during negotiations on devolution at St Andrews in October 2006. According to papers released under the Freedom of Information Act, Mr Paisley jnr also raised with Tony Blair questions over other development schemes in his constituency.

It was in relation to these that the SDLP deputy leader made his accusation against Mr McGuinness.

Mr McKay hit back yesterday, accusing Dr McDonnell of schoolyard pettiness and political point-scoring. Sinn Féin also pointed to SDLP Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, claiming she has serious questions to answer over the disposal of government assets allegedly below true market value.

The furore follows agreement among the Executive over the terms of the budget, particularly Peter Robinson's allocations to health and social development, which between them account for some 60 per cent of all Stormont spending.

As Minister for Finance, Mr Robinson will give the Assembly final details today of the spending allocations following the three-month consultation since his draft budget statement in October.

There are understood to be significant changes from the draft budget statement, with Ulster Unionist Minister Michael McGimpsey benefiting from extra resources at health. Ms Ritchie has also gained significantly at social development, thus allowing many more social housing units to be completed over the next three years.

Both Ministers had claimed repeatedly throughout the consultation period that they could not provide the anticipated levels of service without additional resources from Mr Robinson's finance department.

It is understood a greater tax take from the rating system gave Mr Robinson room for manoeuvre in the face of demands from Mr McGimpsey and Ms Ritchie.

The UUP yesterday suggested Mr McGimpsey had scored a "tremendous victory", while Ms Ritchie was privately expressing some satisfaction at the extra allocation to her department.