And the former Stewartstown man and said he was glad that nobody had listened to Health Committee Chair Iris Robinson who at the tail end of the year told the UUP and others to stop carping and just make do with what was originally given in the draft budget allocation.

The UUP man said that there was now a clear difference between the Finance Minister and his wife Iris who said in 2005 that an increase in the Direct Rule budget of 2005 of 9% for health was insufficient but only last month was ejected from the Chamber in a fit of pique over Ulster Unionist efforts to secure a better deal.

Mr. Robinson on the other hand was sold and could recognise the UUP case on the clear benefits to the people of Northern Ireland of increasing the health budget.

In a statement Rev. Coulter said:
"It is alarming that the Chair of the Health Committee lacked the vision and determination to pursue a better deal for the Health Budget and wanted us to just put up with what we were initially allocated.
"I do however welcome Finance Minister Peter Robinson's announcement today that the Health Budget will be significantly increased. UUP efforts to get a better deal were clearly not lost on him.

"Mrs. Robinson's intemperate outbursts with regards to our efforts were always confusing given that she told the House of Commons in April 2005 that that year's Direct Rule budget increase on NHS expenditure of 9% was insufficient.

"I do however have serious concerns about her role as Health Committee Chair given that she was prepared to just accept the first allocation without fuss and without objection, leaving us on the Committee to fight our corner for the people of Northern Ireland who see quality healthcare as a priority."