Northern Ireland

SDLP calls for Irish government to play role in forming NI budget

MPs tabled amendment mandating UK government engages with the Irish government on financial settlements

Claire Hanna, SDLP MP: “We need a new approach, new thinking to create solutions to these problems and it would be prudent to approach some of these on an all-island basis.” Picture: Sam Baol/Rolling News

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) has called for the Irish government to take a consultative role in formulating the budget for Northern Ireland in the continued absence of a functioning Stormont Assembly.

The party’s two MPs, Claire Hanna and leader Colum Eastwood, have tabled an amendment to the Budget Bill which would mandate the UK government to engage with the Irish government on the terms of financial settlements.

The NI Budget Bill, introduced ...