A sorry scene in a legislature

Yesterday, we witnessed a sorry scene. A government minister getting up, answering questions, but answering them in a way so as to mislead the House. The government minister in question did so during First Minister’s Questions when answering a question from Dr Stephen Farry of the Alliance Party on the Cohesion, sharing and integration programme consultation, Democrati Unionist Junior Minister Robin Newton MBE MLA stated that:

The consultation attracted 290 written responses

Hansard, 29 Nov. 2010

and then just minutes later we heard the following exchange:

Danny Kinahan:

I thank the junior Minister for his reply. He said that the draft document is out to consultation. However, given the almost unanimous denunciation that it does not contain anything solid, does the junior Minister acknowledge that the draft document is now unfit for purpose?

The junior Minister (Mr Newton):

Come on. Of the population of Northern Ireland, 290 people responded. I have already indicated from where I believe much of the political criticism comes. We will respond to those 290 people and take on board the points that they made. As the draft document is further developed, we will address those points as a theme.

loc. cit.
(emphasis: mine)

The Junior Minister does himself and the Office of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) no good when he mistakes 290 submissions as being from 290 individuals.

As one of those who submitted a response on the consultation on behalf of an organisation, as well as being aware of submissions from other organisations, it is important to note that there was general dissent and annoyance at the lack of positivity in the draft Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration document as sent out for consultation.

OFMDFM must recognise the numbers of people involved in the consultation. It was definitely not only 290 people who are represented by the 290 submissions.

In simple terms, the Ministers must wise up.