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Executive to discuss rates future Minister rejects resignation call
(about 9 hours later)
The Stormont executive is to discuss the future of domestic rates and its review of water and sewerage services. Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has rejected calls for his resignation over his handling of a new review of water charges.
The finance minister is expected to raise his concerns about the need for agreement before ministers make spending commitments to the assembly. The demand was made by Ulster Unionist Fred Cobain who chairs the Stormont Committee shadowing Mr Murphy's department.
Peter Robinson said ministers backing a motion for free personal health care broke collective responsibility. However, Sinn Fein has accused Mr Cobain himself of gross incompetence.
The executive will also consider legislation for setting up a single library authority for Northern Ireland. The executive has been approving a review of water charges, which is expected to report in the autumn.
First Minister Ian Paisley said they had decided to conduct a review to address financing water and sewerage services, to be completed by the autumn. However, Mr Cobain is unhappy because he believes his Stormont Committee has been cut out of drawing up the terms of reference for the review.
He said not imposing the charges would save the average Northern Ireland household £100 in the year ahead. Mr Cobain has accused Mr Murphy of failing to keep a promise to fully involve his committee in setting the terms for the review.
Set aside £75m
However, Sinn Fein's Raymond McCartney hit back, accusing Mr Cobain of gross incompetence and narrow party politicking.
He claimed Mr Cobain could have given the minister his committee's recommendations last week instead of waiting until Wednesday.
Sources close to the minister have ruled out any resignation over the matter.
First Minister Ian Paisley has said not imposing water charges would save the average Northern Ireland household £100 in the year ahead.
The Northern Ireland Executive has set aside £75m to meet the cost of deferring the charges for the coming 12 months.The Northern Ireland Executive has set aside £75m to meet the cost of deferring the charges for the coming 12 months.
However, the Department of Regional Development later said deferring water charges would cost £265m over the next three years.However, the Department of Regional Development later said deferring water charges would cost £265m over the next three years.