SINN FÉIN has criticised the SDLP over its claims that it has delivered record housing figures.
SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie and Minister for Social Development Alex Attwood told a press conference yesterday they were behind a 14-year high in social housing new-builds.
“This outcome in housing shows that when SDLP ideas are combined with a determination to succeed, then anything is possible,” Ms Ritchie said. “Just think how the performance of the Executive would improve if there were more SDLP Ministers around the table.”
But Sinn Féin accused the party of making government announcements during the run-up to an Assembly election and breaking the usual “purdah”.
Assembly candidate Fra McCann said: “It doesn’t surprise me that the SDLP would do that. They have been trying to give the impression that they are a party in charge. Their record speaks for itself.” However, Mr Attwood said other government announcements had been made.
“This is an announcement about good government, just as we’ve had other such announcements over the last 10 days,” he said.
“If anyone begins to complain today, they should ask themselves what were they announcing over the last 10 or 12 days, because this is a red herring in order to distract people away from the fact that the Department of Social Development and the SDLP were able to achieve something for people in Northern Ireland.”
The department, clearly anxious not to become involved in the row, confirmed that 5,250 housing units had been started.