Northern Ireland Assembly News

An important report on the arrangements for the devolution of policing and justice matters was published today by the Northern Ireland Assembly to coincide with a major debate in the Assembly. Later this morning, the First Minister and the deputy First Minister are expected to call, jointly, on the Assembly to make a formal request to the Secretary of State for policing and justice powers to be transferred from Westminster. Speaking today, Jimmy Spratt MLA, the Chairman of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee which is responsible for this issue, confirmed MLAs had already been given an opportunity to consider the Report. He said, “The Committee thought it would be helpful to publish its report in time to inform Members before today’s debate, particularly since it deals with issues such as the financial implications of devolution; the role of the Attorney General; arrangements for the appointment, and removal, of judicial office holders; North/South policing and justice agreements; parading; the Public Prosecution Service; and the Justice Minister’s position in the Northern Ireland Executive. The report also includes a Protocol on National Security arrangements as these are powers which will not be devolved from Westminster.” This is the second such report to be published by the Committee and follows an earlier Inquiry into the devolution of policing and justice matters. This latest report includes details of recent discussions the Committee had with the Secretary for State, and the First Minister and the deputy First Minister, during evidence sessions which were held on 18 February, 2010. From 9 March 2010, onwards, the report can be viewed on the Committee’s website (http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assem_exec/2007mandate/assem_exec.htm)

PRESS RELEASE COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 8 March 2010 SD/11/09/10 COMMITTEE FEARS BUDGET CUTS AND JOB LOSSES The budget for maintaining and improving the Northern Ireland Housing Executive stock may be cut by around £40m within a year. This could lead to over 1000 job losses in the construction sector. That’s if cutbacks to NIHE capital works programmes are made in-line with proposals in the Savills Report. A debate on the Report was brought to the Northern Ireland Assembly today by the influential Assembly Social Development Committee. Committee Chairperson, Simon Hamilton, MLA said: “The Committee had been seeking access to this important report for some time. It is essential that its key recommendations are subjected to scrutiny by the Committee and debate by the Assembly.” He continued: “Social housing is an important and emotive issue. While the Committee supports the drive for more new social housing, Members feel that tenants in existing below-standard housing should not be forgotten. The Committee wants to see a balance between the key strands of the social housing strategy – maintenance, capital improvements and new build.” The Savills Report highlights issues relating to the cost of maintaining and improving NIHE stock and suggests that above-inflation increases could be made to Housing Executive rents for a sustained period. Simon Hamilton indicated: “Members believe that rents should be set at fair levels which will not disadvantage vulnerable tenants or the working poor. Raising Housing Executive rents above inflation is a difficult and contentious suggestion. The Committee expects to see an examination of all aspects of Housing Executive costs including interest payments on historic loans. In this context, the Committee wants to study further the Savills’ proposal for a wide-ranging review of social rents and other charges.” Ends The Committee for Social Development membership is: Mr. Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson) Mr. David Hilditch MLA (Deputy Chairperson) Mr. Billy Armstrong MLA Mrs. Mary Bradley MLA Mr. Mickey Brady MLA Mr. Thomas Burns MLA Mr. Jonathan Craig MLA Mr. Alex Easton MLA Ms. Anna Lo MLA Mr. Fra McCann Ms. Carál Ní Chuilín MLA The Clerk of the Social Development Committee is: Peter McCallion Northern Ireland Assembly Phone: 028 90 521864 Mobile : 07825141294 Email: peter.mccallion@niassembly.gov.uk Media enquiries to: Sinead Murphy Deputy Communications Officer Northern Ireland Assembly Phone: 028 9052 5938 Mobile : 078 998 64368 Email: sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk

The Northern Ireland Assembly has received over 250 self-nominations from young people across Northern Ireland who want to play a part in setting up a Youth Assembly. Thirty young people, chosen from the nominees, will help develop the look, feel and purpose of a Northern Ireland Youth Assembly which will be launched in late 2011. Speaking at the end of the nomination process the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, William Hay, MLA said: We are delighted at the level of interest shown in this Youth Assembly and with the high number of nominations we have received. Nominations have come from young people throughout Northern Ireland and I am particularly pleased that a large proportion of the nominees live in rural locations. It demonstrates the enthusiasm of young people to engage in the democratic process and to help shape the future of Northern Ireland politics. The Panel of 30 young people will work with us over the next 12 months to ensure the Youth Assembly gives young people a strong voice on issues that concern them. The Youth Panel will be made up of 30 young people and will meet regularly around Northern Ireland over the course of a year. They will work with the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission to develop plans for a youth assembly. It is an opportunity for young people to make a real difference and secure a stronger voice in issues that concern them, as well as gain experience and develop skills for the future.

Press Release 25 February 2010 EDU 06/09/10 COMMITTEE RETURNS TO THE CLASSROOM Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Education Committee have gone back to the classroom to see at first hand the work of teachers and pupils at Longstone Special School. The Committee was invited to discuss the Minister of Education’s policy proposals for Special Education Needs and Inclusion with parents, governors and staff. Chairperson of the Committee for Education, Mervyn Storey MLA, said: “The Department of Education’s proposals for SEN and Inclusion have generated an unprecedented level of concern among those who are most dependent upon our education system. “Today, we have had the opportunity to see at first hand the contribution which a Special school is making to the education of children with learning difficulties. “The Committee hopes that the Minister’s decision to extend the consultation period on her policy proposals indicates a willingness to respond positively to stakeholders’ concerns.” The Committee for Education has received an unprecedented level of lobbying regarding the Consultation proposals, leading to a SEN event in Parliament Buildings on 20 January 2010. The event was organised to provide a platform for parents and interested stakeholders to raise their concerns directly with Department of Education officials. A full copy of the Committee’s response to the Department of Education and a transcript of the Committee’s SEN event and associated papers can be found on the Committee website: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/education/2007mandate/educationhome_07.htm ENDS Notes to Editors The Department of Education’s Policy Proposals Consultation document closed for responses on 31 January 2010. It can be viewed on the Department’s website. The Principal of Longstone School is Mr Trevor Howard. Committee Membership: Mr. Mervyn Storey (Chairperson) Mr. Dominic Bradley (Deputy Chairperson) Mrs. Mary Bradley Mr. Jonathan Craig Mr. Trevor Lunn Mr. John McCallister Mr. Basil McCrea Miss. Michelle McIlveen Mr. John O’Dowd Ms. Michelle O’Neill Mr. Alastair Ross The Clerk to the Committee is John Simmons Committee for Education, Rm 242, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX Tel: 028 9052 1787 Mob: 07900 053929 Fax: 028 9052 1371 Email: john.simmons@niassembly.gov.uk Media enquiries to: Jennifer Pleavin Communications Officer Northern Ireland Assembly Phone: 028 9052 1606 Email: jennifer.pleavin@niassembly.gov.uk Sinead Murphy Deputy Communications Officer Northern Ireland Assembly Phone: 028 9052 5938 Mobile : 07899 864 368 Email: sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk

Continued vigilance to prevent swine flu is still essential and those at risk should still be vaccinated. That’s the message from the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety which discussed the progress of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s vaccination programme. Speaking about the need for vaccinations, Deputy Chairperson, Michelle O’Neill MLA said: “While the staff in the Department of Health should be commended for the tireless work they have carried out in order to implement the successful vaccination programme against swine flu, it must be stressed that the virus is still circulating. “The Committee would emphasise the need for people in at-risk groups, pregnant women and the under 5s who have not yet been vaccinated to get their vaccination.”

Press Release 18 February 2010 EDU 05/09/10 Committee calls on Minister to review Proposals for Special Education The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education has strongly recommended that the Minister for Education, Caitríona Ruane MLA urgently review the Department of Education’s policy proposals for Special Education Needs (SEN) and Inclusion. The call has come in light of numerous and serious concerns raised by parents and other stakeholders. Committee Chairperson Mervyn Storey MLA said: “The Education Committee has highlighted significant concerns in its formal response to the Department’s consultation on its SEN proposals. “The high level nature of the proposals has led the Committee to conclude that it is difficult for parents and other stakeholders to comment on the Department’s ‘proposeddirection of travel’ without greater clarity about the destination – the practical implications of the policy proposals. “The Committee has also raised concerns arising from the proposals on lines of responsibility for new multidisciplinary groups representing health, education and social care; additional work for already ‘overstretched’ teachers; the future role of special schools and whether SEN funding going directly to schools will be ring fenced. “The Committee called for an extension of the original consultation period and welcomed the Minister’s decision to extend it, not once but twice. We hope that this indicates a willingness to address the genuine concerns of parents and other stakeholders and await a constructive response from the Minister to these concerns.” The Committee for Education has received an unprecedented level of lobbying regarding the Consultation proposals, leading to a SEN event in Parliament Buildings on 20 January 2010. The event was organised to provide a platform for parents and interested stakeholders to raise their concerns directly with Department of Education officials. A full copy of the Committee’s response to the Department of Education and a transcript of the Committee’s SEN event and associated papers can be found on the Committee website: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/education/2007mandate/educationhome_07.htm ENDS Notes to Editors The Chair, Mr Mervyn Storey MLA, is available for interview by request. Please see media contact information below. The Chairperson of the Committee is Mr Mervyn Storey MLA The Deputy Chairperson is Mr Dominic Bradley MLA The Committee has a further nine members: Mrs Mary Bradley MLA Mr Trevor Lunn MLA Mr John McCallister MLA Mr Jonathan Craig MLA Mr Basil McCrea MLA Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA Mr John O’Dowd MLA Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA Mr Alastair Ross MLA The Clerk to the Committee is John Simmons Committee for Education, Rm 242, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX Tel: 028 9052 1787 Mob: 07900 053929 Fax: 028 9052 1371 Email: john.simmons@niassembly.gov.uk For further information, or to arrange an interview or photo opportunity, please contact: Jennifer Pleavin Communications Officer Northern Ireland Assembly Phone: 028 9052 1606 Mobile : 07502 379339 Email: jennifer.pleavin@niassembly.gov.uk

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE PRESS RELEASE 18 February 2010 PAC 09/09/10 PLANNING SERVICE ‘NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE’ SAY PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE The way that planning applications are processed by the Planning Service as one of its core functions, is not fit for purpose. That is one of the key findings emerging from the Report published today by the Northern Ireland Assembly Public Accounts Committee, on “The Performance of the Planning Service”. Speaking at the launch of the report, Paul Maskey MLA, Chairperson of the Committee, said: “In our review of the Planning Service, we found that it has consistently failed to meets its Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets for processing applications in a timely manner. Although there has been a recent improvement, it is still not as good as customers have a right to expect. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. “Of particular concern to the Committee is the fact that performance in processing major applications continues to lag. In the current economic climate more than ever, Planning Service has a pivotal role to play in developing the economy and it must focus on strategic applications which can make a real difference to social and economic wellbeing. These vital applications are still not being handled quickly enough.” The Committee also reviewed the flagship IT System (e-PIC), which was designed to allow electronic delivery of planning processes. It was told that the project was four years behind schedule and the anticipated capital costs were projected to be £12.8 million, some 130 percent above the original budget. Mr Maskey concluded: “Failures in project management which result in capital costs that are more than double the original budget cannot be countenanced at any time. But in a climate of budget constraints this is particularly unsatisfactory. “From the evidence before the Committee, it was no surprise to learn that there has been a significant decline in the Planning Service’s level of customer satisfaction. The current satisfaction rate of 32 per cent is simply unacceptable. Planning Service must, therefore, step up to the mark and demonstrate conclusively that it is changing its culture.” ENDS Notes to Editors: The Report also shows that, in 2003, the Planning Service abandoned its basic indicator of efficiency, the unit cost of processing a planning application. Between 2003-04 and 2008-09, it was estimated that unit costs had risen by 59 per cent while the number of decisions per planner fell by 19 per cent. Standing Orders under Section 60(3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 have provided for the establishment of the Public Accounts Committee (the Committee). The main statutory function of the Committee is to consider accounts and the reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland (C&AG) laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly. The C&AG is head of the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) and is empowered to investigate any area of expenditure and has a statutory right of access to all files and papers in Departments and public bodies. The PAC Committee members are:- Alliance Mr Trevor Lunn Democratic Unionist Party Mr Jim Shannon 6 Mr Jonathan Craig Mr David Hilditch 7,10 Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson 3,4,5,9 Sinn Fein Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson) 2 Mr Mitchel McLaughlin Social Democratic and Labour Party Mr John Dallat Mr Patsy McGlone 1,8 Ulster Unionist Party Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson) Progressive Unionist Party Ms Dawn Purvis 1 With effect from 04 March 2008 Mr Thomas Burns replaced Mr Patsy McGlone. 2 With effect from 20 May 2008 Mr Paul Maskey replaced Mr John O´Dowd. 3 With effect from 1 October 2007 Mr Mickey Brady replaced Mr Willie Clarke. 4 With effect from 21 January 2008 Mr Ian McCrea replaced Mr Mickey Brady. 5 With effect from Tuesday 27 May 08 Mr Jim Wells replaced Mr Ian McCrea. 6 With effect from Monday, 15 September 08 Mr Jim Shannon replaced Mr David Hilditch. 7 With effect from Monday, 15 September 08 Mr George Robinson replaced Mr Simon Hamilton. 8 With effect from 29 June 2009, Mr Patsy McGlone replaced Mr Thomas Burns. 9 with effect from 18 September 2009 Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson replaced Mr Jim Wells. 10 with effect from 18 September 2009 Mr David Hilditch replaced Mr George Robinson. For media enquiries, please contact: Debra Savage Communications Officer Northern Ireland Assembly Tel. 028 9052 1405/1137 Mobile 07920 864221 Email: debra.savage@niassembly.gov.uk Website www.niassembly.gov.uk

PRESS RELEASE 12 February 2010 AGR 11/09/10 AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE CAST AN INVITE TO NEW EUROPEAN FISHERIES COMMISIONER The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has offered its congratulations to Commissioner Maria Damanaki on her appointment as Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The Committee made the new Commissioner aware of the hardships placed upon the fishing industry in Northern Ireland by the recent December Council decisions. They also stressed their keenness to work with the Commissioner’s office and the industry to find a strategy to secure the future of fishing livelihoods in Northern Ireland. Speaking on the appointment, the Committee Chairman, Mr. Ian Paisley Jnr said: “With the nephrop fleet facing a 9% cut in the quota along with a cut of 25% in the number of days at sea, we’re looking at traditional family businesses facing the prospect of financial ruin. This could lead to the possible break-up and dispersal of proud fishing communities. “It is imperative that these bleak facts are brought to the Commissioner’s attention at the earliest possible moment. I am happy to welcome her to Northern Ireland so that she can see first hand the major impact the cuts have on our industry.” The Committee has issued an invitation to the Commissioner to come to Northern Ireland to meet with the Committee, representatives of the industry and with communities impacted by these cuts. ENDS Notes to Editors The Chairperson of the Committee is Mr. Ian Paisley Jnr The deputy Chairperson of the Committee is Mr. Tom Elliott The Committee has a further nine members: Mr. Jim Shannon Mr. William McCrea Mr. William Irwin Mr. Willie Clarke Mr. Francie Molloy Mr. Pat Doherty Mr. Patsy McGlone Mr. Thomas Burns Mr. George Savage Media enquiries to: Debra Savage Communications Officer Northern Ireland Assembly Tel. 028 90521405/90521137 Mobile: 07920 864221 Email: debra.savage@niassembly.gov.uk Info.office@niassembly.gov.uk Website: www.niassembly.gov.uk

In a key Assembly debate, the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for the Environment has called on Environment Minister Edwin Poots, MLA to reinstate funding to the Lough Neagh and Lower Bann Advisory Committees as a matter of urgency. The debate follows a series of recent meetings by the Committee where members were informed that the decision by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), to withdraw funding was made without any prior warning or consultation. Committee Chair, Dolores Kelly said that the Committee was disappointed by the Department, and consequently the Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s, decision to cut vital funding. “Since inception in 1994, the Advisory Committees have been extremely successful in providing a holistic approach to the conservation, management and sustainable development of the Lough Neagh and Lower Bann areas. The Committee is deeply concerned that the Department’s decision to remove funding has occurred without a proper assessment of the work of the Advisory Committees and a lack of appropriate consultation. “The Committee became aware of this issue following a letter from the Lough Neagh Advisory Committee and has sought to gather information and feedback from all stakeholders before deciding to put forward this motion for debate. We have called on the Minister to recognise the important social and environmental role played by the Advisory Committees and why continued funding is crucial to maintaining and further enhancing the economic viability of the Lough Shore and Lower Bann areas. “ Speaking after the debate, the Chairperson commended the Minister’s commitment to reinstate the conditional funding and noted the important role the Department now has in encouraging the nine local councils involved to continue their funding of these vital Advisory Committees.