Northern Ireland's financial stability is at risk as government departments spend beyond their means, a Stormont committee has warned. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been investigating the Department of Health's decision to fund a £209 million pay deal for healthcare workers, which exceeded its budget. Despite Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's initial concerns, he issued a ministerial direction to the department's permanent secretary, Mike Farrar, to proceed with the award. This move has raised concerns about the potential impact on the overall Northern Ireland budget and the possibility of overspending by other executive departments. The Auditor General, Dorinnia Carville, has expressed her concerns about the 'slightly unusual' direction and the potential for overspending, echoing the views of DUP MLA Tom Buchanan. PAC chair Daniel McCrossan warns that this precedent could lead to a serious financial crisis if other departments follow suit, emphasizing the need for scrutiny of public expenditure.
