TUV raises concerns that MLAs have spent over £500,000 refurbishing their canteen at Stormont
Concerns have been raised that MLAs have spent over £500,000 refurbishing their own canteen - but that no individual politician will put their name to the expenditure.
The decision to revamp the Blue Flax Canteen at Stormont was taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, which is essentially the governing and administrative body of Stormont.
The current members include the speaker of the house and one MLA each from Sinn Fein, the DUP, Alliance Party, UUP and SDLP.
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston spoke out this week to criticise the Commission for spending over £500,000 refurbishing the canteen — claiming that none of the politicians responsible for the decision would put their name to the official response.
The commission itself said that the canteen had not had a full refurbishment in 27 years and that the update has made a significant impact in efficiency for MLAs.
Mr Gaston said: “Like all MLAs I use the Stormont canteen, and before the summer recess it was perfectly serviceable. I was taken aback when I returned to find extensive refurbishment work had been carried out."
Mr Gaston says he has been advised the refurbishment cost over £500,000 but noted the canteen is not open to the public but is used almost exclusively by MLAs, their staff, Assembly staff and the media.
To make matters worse, the MLA said, the response to his question about the costs was not signed by any member of the Assembly Commission.
"Tellingly, no one from Sinn Fein, the DUP, UUP, SDLP or Alliance will front up to defend the spending," he said.
He said he was "frankly appalled" that more than £500,000 has been poured into refurbishing a canteen "that is not open to the public".
He added: “Stormont has spent the equivalent of two family homes on a canteen while ordinary households across Northern Ireland are struggling with the cost of living crisis."
A DUP Spokesperson responded that "the modernisation should not have cost this amount of money and it cannot be justified".
He added: "The public will be rightly appalled and we are seeking answers on how this project was managed and why costs spiralled. There are clearly major flaws with wider public procurement that we have previously highlighted and it is time there was reform that ensures capital projects are delivered on time and on budget.”
A UUP spokesman declined to comment, saying that the Assembly Commission "is the lead and protocol would sit with them to respond".
A spokeswoman for the Assembly said the canteen had approximately 72,000 transactions in 2024.
It is used by MLAs, their staff, Assembly staff, civil servants, media, and members of the public visiting MLAs, she added.
“The restaurant received a minor refresh in 2008, but has not been updated substantially since 1998.”
"During those 27 years, working and eating habits have changed significantly, with people wanting more flexible and informal options, reflecting more collaborative and ‘away from desk’ working.”
This agility will be important as the Assembly embarks on a busy legislative period, and provides cost savings through cashless and self-serve options.
The design is also disabled friendly and serves people more quickly.
In addition, there has been a noticeable increase in people using the space for meetings outside traditional meal times, she added.