Question to the Minister of Finance

Minister's Answer

I share the Member's frustration about the use of the £5 million. It is right and proper to give it to the PSNI and to support it in that regard. However, that money was literally wasted. That £5 million could have been used to start the recruitment of extra PSNI officers. It could have been used to recruit nurses, teachers or classroom assistants — you name it, and that money could have been used for that. It is very frustrating that a minority of thugs have cost this society £5 million, at least, because there will be extra Justice consequences, as well as compensation costs and the cost of lost opportunities, as a result of their thuggery. They have cost this society a lot in reputational and financial terms.