NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Ireland’s Public Service is “at its limits” and there are grave fears it will not be able to cope with the UK leaving the European Union without a deal (Brexit), according to the Province’s Head of Service.
Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, David Sterling (pictured) was praised for his courage by the Head of the UK Public Service, Sir Mark Sedwill and the Head of the Department of An Taoiseach (Republic of Ireland), Martin Fraser after he spoke at a conference in Dundalk.
In his address, Mr Sterling said he was particularly concerned about what would happen if the Northern Ireland Public Service was left without Ministerial direction in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
“We are already at the limits of what Civil Servants can and cannot do, which is why our conclusion is that the range of challenges and the magnitude of the decisions that will be needed to mitigate the most severe impacts could not, and should not, be taken by Civil Servants,” Mr Sterling said.
“We need our Ministers back, and we need them back quickly.”
Northern Ireland has been without a functioning Government for two-and-a-half years after a power-sharing agreement between the two main parties broke down.
Mr Sterling said a no-deal Brexit would have a “profound and lasting effect” on Northern Ireland.
“Economic activity will drop by an estimated 9 per cent over 10 years, and there will be a huge impact on beef, sheep and dairy farmers,” he said.
“Eight thousand small firms, employing 40,000 employees, would see their exports affected.”
Mr Sterling said there was the potential for regulatory divergence in the electricity market.
“The lights will not go out, but we could see an increase in prices,” he said.
“We may face a significant disruption to supplies of foods, medicines and chemicals, again leading to higher prices.”
Mr Sterling said the police assessment was that there could be public protests and civil unrest — “perhaps leading to disruption of normal life”.
Belfast, 23 September 2019
