Dept of Finance fires warning over tough choices facing public services in NI

The Department of Finance yesterday took the unprecedented step of publicly announcing the tough choices facing public services, in Northern Ireland. This sort of information would normally be provided to a minister before a budget - but as there isn't an Executive in place - the department have decided to put it out there for you the public to discuss. And there's no good news. It's a case of where and how deep the cuts should be - not if they should happen. The question we're asking this morning is would you be happy to pay more to ease the pressure on our public services? Or do you think there is scope for cuts? Vinny spoke to former Sinn Fein Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, UUP MLA Steve Aiken, Alliance MLA Stephen Farry, NIPSA's Bumper Graham and we took your calls.

Also on the programme, the BBC revealed how Belfast's Metropolitan Arts Centre aka The MAC - needed emergency funding "to keep the doors open until the end of October". Belfast City Council paid £40,000 to address that issue, but the MAC has now asked for an additional £300,000 of public money before the end of March. However, the Department for Communities - hasn't yet approved the MAC's request - in the absence of a minister. With constant reminders that our health service in particular is struggling - is it time to curb arts spending? Vinny spoke to former MLA and arts lover Basil McCrea and the businessman and NI Conservative member Frank Shivers.