The SDLP, apart from their Housing Minister, Margaret Ritchie were joined by former Sinn Fein Assemblyman, Gerry McHugh in criticising aspects of yesterday's budget, targeting the Finance Minister, Peter Robinson for insufficient funding for areas of need West of the Bann.
The SDLP, who had earlier voted against the Executive's Programme For Government because it did not provide for water reform, the funding of post-primary restructuring and the Children's Fund, voted against adopting yesterday's budget
According to the Party's Fermanagh-South Tyrone MLA, Tommy Gallagher, 'we did so to reflect those concerns rather than meekly accepting Peter Robinson's proposals'.
He went on: "It is good that money has been provided for key projects for the next three years. In this constituency, the money is at long last now in place for some of the long talked about roads improvements, including the dual carriageway to Ballygawley, the Cherrymount link and the upgrading of the Omagh-Enniskillen road.
"Funding for the new Enniskillen hospital has been allocated and, hopefully, work will be underway within the next year. However, people here who have to endure traffic congestion and delay in Enniskillen will be disappointed that money has not been allocated for the southern by-pass.
"The new targets for increased investment and better job opportunities are welcome but, once again if people here are to benefit, then Invest NI will have completely change their approach to the West.
Likewise, Gerry McHugh, speaking during the debate, said West of the Bann had not got its fair share of funding when compared to Belfast and Derry, despite the fact costs were dearer here.
"If you want to start a business here, it costs 30 per cent more because of the distance you have to transport the goods. It means, in effect, you have to employ one extra person in three to do that.
"Likewise, I would like to have seen the by-pass included in the programme. It means Enniskillen is now the only sizeable town in the Six Counties without a by-pass and people have no option but to drive through the island".
Mr McHugh highlighted a properly funded public transport service as another absentee, and he predicted that the abolition of the 11-plus would still mean a two-tiered system of education.
"It has already started", he claimed. "I can see it for myself in Enniskillen where people are buying up land for housing where you have a choice of three grammar schools whereas a child in Roslea has only one, St Comhghall's.
"Sinn Fein haven't taken that into account. I don't want that, I want equal educational opportunity for all".
Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott, who is vice-chairman of its Agriculture Committee, said the Programme for Government must deliver for the agricultural community if it is to a success ."This has given DARD and Minister Gildernew the platform to go on and champion the cause of the agricultural industry. For far too long, DARD has played its parts in increasing the stress on farmers through red tape. For the sake of the future of our industry, DARD must now work in tandem with the farming community, allowing everyone to benefit as we all pull in the one direction."
While he welcomed the fact that £45m had been ear-marked to the competitiveness of the agricultural sector by 2013, there were other issues within the Programme that gave him grounds for concern. "I was disappointed the Programme did not mention the Red Meat Taskforce Report. It is my belief the Report could and should form the basis of many future decisions concerning our industry".
He noted that the Programme aimed to reduce by 20% the annual herd incidence of Brucellosis, and by 27% the annual herd incidence of Tuberculosis in cattle by 2011.
"For me, this simply does not go far enough in relation to these diseases. But I will work with it to ensure what we have got will produce results for the agricultural community,and go some way to restoring the pride and passion back into our industry."
One happier person was Helen Osborn who is Head of Libraries and Corporate Services with the Western Education and Library Board. She and fellow Board officers recently met with the Minister for the Arts, Edwin Poots at Omagh Library.
There, he announced £113,000 funding for all five Boards to spend in libraries on their 'Bookstart' programme. The Western Board will receive about one-fifth of that amount. The programme encourages children and their parents to read together.
