Empey and McGimpsey respond to Ruane statement

Following the statement by the Minister of Education regarding her 'transitional governance' arrangements for the education system, Ulster Unionist Ministers Sir Reg Empey and Michael McGimpsey have made the following statement:

"The statement made today by the Minister of Education represents an incredibly worrying development. At no time has Minister Ruane sought the support of the Northern Ireland Executive for her 'transitional governance' plans for education. This is despite the Ministerial Code requiring a Minister to bring any cross-cutting and 'significant or controversial' matters to the Executive.

"Nor has the Minister's Bill creating the Education and Skills Authority passed the Northern Ireland Assembly or received the Royal Assent. In fact, the very reason the Minister has decided to bring forward transitional plans is precisely because of the lack of support in the Assembly for her Bill creating the ESA.

"Without the support of the Executive or the Assembly, the Minister of Education has arbitrarily decided to give 'a much more direct role' in the governance of our education system to a body - the ESA - which has not yet been created by legislation nor received the assent of the Northern Ireland Assembly or Executive.

"Devolution is meant to be about democratic accountability - not ministerial authoritarianism. We are now calling on the Executive to urgently convene and require from the Minister for Education an explanation for her actions".