SDLP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tommy Gallagher has said he will oppose any cuts to planning services that will see 37 posts at Planning Services in Omagh and Enniskillen relocated to Belfast.

He said: "The minister and his officials are trying to dress this up as a redeployment exercise to planning services, however, it will have devastating consequences for staff who live and work locally.

"In fact, this is a further contradiction from a minister who has repeatedly told us that devolution is working. We have a local Assembly, which is supposed to reflect local needs and not simply opt for consultation where tough decisions about savings have to be made.

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"Any changes for planning staff must take place among the background of proper consultation within the workforce and without a putting at risk the quality and level of service provided to the public by these two offices."

He continued: "Surely, some innovative thinking about the planning workforce should look at removing out of date area plans and doing more work on urgent planning issues such as energy efficiency and flood risks.

"I will oppose any move to relocate service workers out of these areas or to leave the public with a second class public service in the west."

(NS/GK)