This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6729227.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Minister rejects resignation call | Minister rejects resignation call |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has rejected calls for his resignation over his handling of a new review of water charges. | Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has rejected calls for his resignation over his handling of a new review of water charges. |
| The demand was made by Ulster Unionist Fred Cobain who chairs the Stormont Committee shadowing Mr Murphy's department. | The demand was made by Ulster Unionist Fred Cobain who chairs the Stormont Committee shadowing Mr Murphy's department. |
| However, Sinn Fein has accused Mr Cobain himself of gross incompetence. | However, Sinn Fein has accused Mr Cobain himself of gross incompetence. |
| The executive has been approving a review of water charges, which is expected to report in the autumn. | The executive has been approving a review of water charges, which is expected to report in 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. | 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. |
| Mr Cobain has accused Mr Murphy of failing to keep a promise to fully involve his committee in setting the terms for the review. | 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 | Set aside £75m |
| However, Sinn Fein's Raymond McCartney hit back, accusing Mr Cobain of gross incompetence and narrow party politicking. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Meanwhile, the executive has agreed that two ministers will make statements to the assembly on Monday setting out details of reviews on rates and water reforms. | |
| Finance Minister Peter Robinson is to tell the assembly about an accelerated examination of the current rating system with a view to finding more effective ways of insuring a fairer deal for next year's bill. | |
| Conor Murphy will outline the plans for a review of water and sewage. |