Opinion

More detail needed on pre-Christmas budget

After months of stalemate and inaction, the Stormont executive wound up the political year with a flurry of announcements, earmarking funding for a range of significant initiatives.

While not quite in Santa Claus territory, the DUP and Sinn Fein has allocated cash for large-scale infrastructure projects including the A5 between Derry and Dublin and the A6 between Belfast and Derry.

These are long-awaited and much needed construction projects which will dramatically improve transport links north and south.

The A5 cross-border plan in particular has become something of a saga after the preferred route was unveiled in 2009.

A public inquiry found in favour of the scheme in 2012 but a High Court ruling stalled matters in 2013. Meanwhile, the Irish government, which had pledged £400m, slashed this sum in 2011 and in the latest twist, offered £75m as part of the Fresh Start Agreement last month.

In the Stormont budget outlined on Thursday, the A5 has been given £229m while the A6 has been allocated £258m.

It is not clear how soon work will begin on these routes, especially given the court ruling on the A5.

However, the Belfast to Derry scheme has been in the pipeline for some time and should be in a position to get under way.

It is hoped that once completed, the upgraded road will make a huge difference in terms of the journey time between Belfast and Derry, providing a boon to commuters and businesses and also improving safety which is a crucial consideration.

It was not just flagship road projects given the green light in this pre-Christmas budget.

Money will go towards encouraging older teachers to retire early, making way for newly qualified graduates. This move has been welcomed by the teaching unions and, according to education minister John O'Dowd, will result in jobs for 500 young teachers.

The new DUP leader Arlene Foster has also chosen to protect the health budget although other re-organised departments will see spending fall.

Not everyone in the executive is happy with the one-year spending plan with the SDLP and Alliance concerned at the way in which the budget was rushed through.

As with all such proposals, it is important to see the detail before making a full assessment.

As we have seen in the past, projects are often announced with some fanfare and then not much happens.

We need to have a realistic timetable for the big capital schemes and a clear idea when work is expected to start.

Ministers getting back to their desks in the new year will need to provide much more information about what lies in store.