NI Conservatives’ spokesman, Bill Manwaring, has called upon the DRD minister, Danny Kennedy, to engage in some 'joined up' government with his ministerial colleagues, in order to find additional resources which can be used to help farmers clear important lanes and access roads, blocked by the recent snow fall.
"The minister must show that the farming community is a top priority so that the long-term damage caused by these freak weather conditions is not compounded”, Bill explained. “The executive could have set up a 'COBRA' style group to deal with the most pressing issues arising out of this crisis, as early as last Friday.”
“It would have taken a little imagination, a sense of urgency and a determination to serve all the people of Northern Ireland well, by bringing together all the relevant departments and agencies. These are not qualities which the executive parties at Stormont have been able to show at all during their time in government.”
“Workers from the various public agencies have been toiling around the clock to resolve problems for people in rural communities. Likewise, the armed forces are now lending a hand. The executive should be taking the lead by coordinating in a joined up fashion the response to a crisis which has the potential to destroy livelihoods in one of Northern Ireland’s most important industries.”