Loyalist's Stormont raid cost taxpayer £500k
ENFORCING a ring of steel at Stormont to protect Ulster's politicians has cost the taxpayer over half a million pounds.
Tough new security arrangements were installed at Parliament Buildings earlier this year following the botched raid by Michael Stone in November 2006.
A News Letter Freedom of Information (FOI) request has shown a total of 558,000 of public money has been spent to date to shield our public representatives from intrusion.
The revelation comes only days before the high profile visit to Stormont by US president George Bush, when security will be paramount.
The new enforcements 'on the hill' include the relocation of a new outdoor search facility (34,674), the installation of railings and fencing on the building's parameter (88,000) and new X-ray equipment (123,000).
The largest outlay was a fee for the presence of PSNI officers which totalled 181,000. Other costs included a new PA system (34,475), barriers (13,200) and associated services (43,500).
The FOI request also revealed other additional security measures would be implemented during the current financial year.
Much disapproval has been directed at the railings that have been erected which bar access up the famous main steps at the front of the building.
Despite the criticism, the Assembly Commission, comprising members from the five main political parties, has said the overall project sought to balance ease of access with the need for protection.
DUP MLA Stephen Moutray who sits on the Assembly's corporate body, says the safety measures have brought Stormont into line with its counterparts across the British Isles.
"A security review was instigated after the Michael Stone incident and there were many concerns raised about security in and around Parliament Buildings. The review came up with recommendations and those recommendations have been carried out," he said.
"One of those recommendations was an exterior search facility as there is at the Scottish Parliament, Westminster and the Dail in Dublin."
The DUP man believes it is positive the search facility has been moved outside, making the Great Hall more "people friendly".
He also revealed the new measures were introduced unanimously after Stone's infringement.
"What happened that day helped to focus thoughts on security more and the Assembly Commission as well as the leaders of all the political parties made their dissatisfaction known.
"The issue was raised regularly in the House," he added.
When contacted by the News Letter, an Assembly spokesperson declined to answer further questions directly but referred to FOI legislation which allows the response to be delayed by 20 working days.
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