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Expenses row shattered public's confidence
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Public confidence in political institutions in Northern Ireland has haemorrhaged because of the row over MPs' expenses, the Committee on Standards in Public Life heard today.
There needs to be greater transparency and openness around costs as well as an end to dual mandates between Westminster and the Assembly, Assembly member Dawn Purvis added.
The Progressive Unionist Party politician gave evidence to the official inquiry into MPs' expenses which is sitting in Belfast today.
Ms Purvis said: "We have a real need to build public confidence in democracy, that needs to happen urgently.
"In the last year I think unfortunately public confidence has haemorrhaged."
She has proposed a private member's bill in the Assembly which she hopes will bring added accountability to members.
She believes it could become law before the 2011 Assembly elections.
Also appearing today were Belfast Telegraph journalist David Gordon, Ulster Unionist Danny Kennedy, Sinn Fein member Alex Maskey and the SDLP's Alban Maginness and Alex Attwood.
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