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The defunct Northern Ireland Assembly is spending \u00a3360,000 (\u20ac400,000) on policing services every year.<\/p>\nThe defunct Northern Ireland Assembly is spending \u00a3360,000 (\u20ac400,000) on policing services every year.<\/p>\n
Devolved government has not sat at Stormont in almost two years, but PSNI officers are on duty at the building every day.<\/p>\n
The powersharing government collapsed in January 2017 following a breakdown in relations between the Democratic Unionists and Sinn F\u00e9in.<\/p>\n
Many of the 90 MLAs who were elected to the Assembly in 2017 still use their offices in the building.<\/p>\n
However, the debating chamber has remained silent apart from visitor tours for almost two years.<\/p>\n
There has been a police presence at Stormont since 2007, when Loyalist killer Michael Stone burst into the building and attempted to launch an attack.<\/p>\n
Responding to a Freedom of Information Act request from the Press Association, the Assembly Commission said it spends \u00a3360,000 per year on policing services at the North’s Parliament Buildings.<\/p>\n
They declined to say how many officers are involved in the work, but most days two are visible on duty at the front door of Parliament Buildings.<\/p>\n
The TaxPayers\u2019 Alliance has questioned the use of public money.<\/p>\n
Some protection is no doubt needed at all times but it’s important to get the balance right and think about those picking up the tab<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven there hasn\u2019t much political action in Stormont for a while, taxpayers will wonder how this bill is quite so large,\u201d said John O\u2019Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers\u2019 Alliance.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome protection is no doubt needed at all times but it\u2019s important to get the balance right and think about those picking up the tab.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen budgets are tight, it\u2019s crucial to get maximum value for taxpayers\u2019 money.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokeswoman for the Northern Ireland Assembly said it has a responsibility to protect the safety of all the building users.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the Assembly is not currently sitting, Parliament Buildings remains fully operational for MLAs, their staff, Assembly Commission staff, visiting dignitaries and members of the public who visit the building to take part in tours and a range of charity functions and events,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs such the Assembly Commission has a responsibility to ensure that the appropriate security mechanisms and personnel are in place to protect the safety of all building users.<\/p>\n
\u201cA police presence has been in place at Parliament buildings since 2007, and the retention of this service is consistent and in line with the security procedures employed by other legislatures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Assembly Commission regularly monitors and reviews the level and appropriateness of its security measures to ensure that they are proportionate, fit for purpose and provide value for the public purse.\u201d<\/p>\n