Delay in publishing programme for government branded a 'farce' by Stormont Opposition

The delay in publishing the long-awaited programme for government has been branded a “shambolic farce”, a “storm in a teacup”, and likened to an episode of "Carry On Stormont".

The planned publication was postponed at late notice on Wednesday morning.

UTV understands that Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir expressed concern that he had not been given sight of the final document before being asked to give his approval.

In January, First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "The programme for government is still a work in progress. 

"We have obviously been a bit distracted with the storm from last week, but we are still working our way through that. 

A meeting to finalise the deal scheduled for Wednesday morning was postponed after Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir asked for more information from the Executive Office.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said: "Rightly, the First Minister and deputy First Minister decided that rather than rush to make a decision today, we could delay that for 24 hours and give us the space.

"Then the space to give us the final package of documents which we have only received in the last hour.

"So, no, I do not think we are introducing delay. If you want to look at where delay has been introduced, look at the period between November and today.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: "I think this was a process issue more than anything else.

"My understanding is that there is broad agreement. There was a few details to be ironed out.

"My expectation is that there will be an Executive meeting in the next 24 hours."At Westminster, Secretary of State Hilary Benn said he was confident there would be sign-off soon.

Stormont's Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole did not share the Northern Ireland Secretary's enthusiasm.

"Today's delay and the strange Fawlty Towers-esque way it has been handled, I am afraid, speaks to a slightly shambolic situation inside government. The public deserve better," he said.

The last time the Executive produced an agreed programme for government was 2011.

Another meeting has been scheduled to discuss the issue on Thursday.

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