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Northern Ireland welfare reform debate expected to go ahead Northern Ireland welfare reform debate expected to go ahead
(35 minutes later)
Northern Ireland assembly members are due to debate the final stage of the controversial welfare reform bill later.Northern Ireland assembly members are due to debate the final stage of the controversial welfare reform bill later.
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) sources indicated the debate will proceed despite Northern Ireland first minister Peter Robinson's admission to hospital with a suspected heart attack.Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) sources indicated the debate will proceed despite Northern Ireland first minister Peter Robinson's admission to hospital with a suspected heart attack.
However, it is expected the welfare reform bill will be vetoed.However, it is expected the welfare reform bill will be vetoed.
This is because both Sinn Féin and the SDLP have signed a petition of concern.This is because both Sinn Féin and the SDLP have signed a petition of concern.
Mr Robinson, 66, was taken to the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, on Monday morning after he became ill.Mr Robinson, 66, was taken to the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, on Monday morning after he became ill.
The leader of the DUP was then transferred to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) where he underwent a procedure.The leader of the DUP was then transferred to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) where he underwent a procedure.
The first minister's hospitalisation came on the eve of the major debate at Stormont.The first minister's hospitalisation came on the eve of the major debate at Stormont.
But DUP sources say the first minister's illness does not change the urgent nature of the deadline facing the Stormont parties for agreeing a budget.But DUP sources say the first minister's illness does not change the urgent nature of the deadline facing the Stormont parties for agreeing a budget.
Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey of the DUP is still expected to move the bill on Tuesday, even though nationalist opposition means his measure looks doomed.Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey of the DUP is still expected to move the bill on Tuesday, even though nationalist opposition means his measure looks doomed.
'Eyes wide open''Eyes wide open'
Alliance Party leader David Ford said the nationalist parties were being unrealistic.Alliance Party leader David Ford said the nationalist parties were being unrealistic.
"We are walking into a financial crisis with people's eyes wide open knowing exactly what they're walking into," he said."We are walking into a financial crisis with people's eyes wide open knowing exactly what they're walking into," he said.
"For those of us who opposed the cuts in the only place where they could be opposed - in parliament - and now have to live with the consequences in Northern Ireland, there is no option but to put through the welfare reform bill and ensure that we do our best to live within our means and that we don't pretend that the difficult world doesn't exist."For those of us who opposed the cuts in the only place where they could be opposed - in parliament - and now have to live with the consequences in Northern Ireland, there is no option but to put through the welfare reform bill and ensure that we do our best to live within our means and that we don't pretend that the difficult world doesn't exist.
"That's what government is about, taking difficult decisions and facing up to responsibilities.""That's what government is about, taking difficult decisions and facing up to responsibilities."
Finance Minister Arlene Foster of the DUP said: "The choice is very clear today, we either back the bill or we allow the bill to fall, which means that all of those top-ups that were negotiated will fall, the conditional support will fall, we'll continue to have to have the levies, the fines from Westminster of £9.5m per month currently - and those are going to increase.Finance Minister Arlene Foster of the DUP said: "The choice is very clear today, we either back the bill or we allow the bill to fall, which means that all of those top-ups that were negotiated will fall, the conditional support will fall, we'll continue to have to have the levies, the fines from Westminster of £9.5m per month currently - and those are going to increase.
"And of course we have a £600m pressure in relation to our budget."And of course we have a £600m pressure in relation to our budget.
"But Sinn Féin knows what the choice is. Everybody's walking into this bill today and they know the consequences if they don't back the bill.""But Sinn Féin knows what the choice is. Everybody's walking into this bill today and they know the consequences if they don't back the bill."
'Negotiate this out''Negotiate this out'
However, Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd said: "There's always a choice and we have a choice.However, Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd said: "There's always a choice and we have a choice.
"Even if it's 12 hours or 24 hours or 36 hours over the remaining period of this week we have an opportunity to remove the bill for that period of time and for the political parties to sit round the table and talk this out and negotiate this out."Even if it's 12 hours or 24 hours or 36 hours over the remaining period of this week we have an opportunity to remove the bill for that period of time and for the political parties to sit round the table and talk this out and negotiate this out.
"If there's one thing we've learned over the last 15 to 20 years it's that negotiation can overcome what was thought as a very difficult problems.""If there's one thing we've learned over the last 15 to 20 years it's that negotiation can overcome what was thought as a very difficult problems."
Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs said: "I think we all have to be realistic and accept that a new government has just been elected into Westminster and they are not going to change and suddenly start treating Northern Ireland differently from other parts of the UK.
"I think to continue to take that line is irresponsible and will result in quite a crisis in Northern Ireland and a crisis that will result in the most vulnerable in our community suffering, because ultimately I would believe significant monies would need to be taken out of our health service in order to balance the budget."
Presuming the bill is rejected later on Tuesday, the executive faces an almost impossible situation, with the Finance Minister, Arlene Foster, calculating the Stormont departments will have to deal with around £600m in cuts.Presuming the bill is rejected later on Tuesday, the executive faces an almost impossible situation, with the Finance Minister, Arlene Foster, calculating the Stormont departments will have to deal with around £600m in cuts.
BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport says that assuming the parties cannot agree to impose such a budget, the Northern Ireland Office may face fresh pressure to intervene.BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport says that assuming the parties cannot agree to impose such a budget, the Northern Ireland Office may face fresh pressure to intervene.
Speaking about the planned debate in light of the first minister's illness, Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin said: "We will have to wait and see what happens overnight."Speaking about the planned debate in light of the first minister's illness, Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin said: "We will have to wait and see what happens overnight."
Last week, Mr Robinson warned that the assembly could not survive the scenario which would unfold if the welfare reform bill was not approved.Last week, Mr Robinson warned that the assembly could not survive the scenario which would unfold if the welfare reform bill was not approved.
The Northern Ireland parties had agreed a deal on Westminster's welfare reform in the Stormont House Agreement last December.The Northern Ireland parties had agreed a deal on Westminster's welfare reform in the Stormont House Agreement last December.
However, Sinn Féin withdrew its support for the bill in March.However, Sinn Féin withdrew its support for the bill in March.
Sinn Féin and the SDLP have signed a petition of concern, which means the bill will be blocked on Tuesday as it will not get the necessary cross-community support.Sinn Féin and the SDLP have signed a petition of concern, which means the bill will be blocked on Tuesday as it will not get the necessary cross-community support.