Northern Ireland Assembly News

The Assembly Committee for the Environment today expressed its disappointment at the Department of the Environment’s refusal to make clear and detailed plans for the Planning Service before proceeding any further with redeploying Planning Service staff. Committee Chairperson, Cathal Boylan MLA, said: “In May the Committee asked for a detailed financial and resource plan from the Department before 2 July 2010 because we were concerned that the Department was going ahead with its redeployment of Planning Service staff without enough thought about the delivery of frontline services. “The Department’s response states that it cannot produce these plans until after mid September 2010 and that it is to go ahead with its redeployment of staff as planned. “This is of great concern to the Committee. We consider it unwise to make significant staffing changes now, and then assess the ability to deliver the service at a later date as this might risk some decisions being reversed. We will be watching carefully to see that every opportunity is taken by the Department to ensure the Planning Service continues to deliver a high standard of service, and one that is value for money.”

Government purchasing power should be used with greater effect to support the local economy. That was the message from the Committee of Finance and Personnel which today gave a cautious welcome to the response from the Procurement Board, to its recent Inquiry into public procurement in Northern Ireland. The Procurement Board is made up of all Departmental Permanent Secretaries and is chaired by the Finance and Personnel Minister. Committee Chairperson, Jennifer McCann, MLA said: “In this era of increasing pressure on public expenditure, it is vital to provide opportunities for our local SMEs and those in the social economy sector. Government procurement is a key strategic tool which the Executive can use to help community based businesses. “The Committee welcomes the Procurement Board’s action plan, considered at our meeting today. We are pleased to see the introduction of a Fair Payment Charter which will ensure sub-contractors receive the benefits from earlier payments to the main contractor. We also welcome the Board’s commitment to measure the benefit that a business can provide for their communities as part of the environment in which a tender application is judged. “However, there is much work to be done in relation to the use of framework agreements. These agreements, which effectively pre-select companies entitled to tender for government contracts, were a key issue raised by stakeholders during our inquiry. We believe that it is also important to build the capacity of community based businesses and the Committee calls for the Board to address these issues. ”Further work is required to ensure that our communities get the most out of the long-term positive social, economic and environmental outcomes from public procurement expenditure. This commitment by the Procurement Board is a start.”

The North/South Bodies, set up under the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement have come under scrutiny from the Northern Ireland Assembly Public Accounts Committee. Speaking at the launch of their first report into the bodies, Paul Maskey MLA, Chairperson of the Committee, said: “Our evidence session with North/South Bodies was very informative and proved to be a useful first contact. The Committee used this opportunity to examine general issues that apply to all the Bodies. In addition, we looked at issues specific to InterTradeIreland, which encourages cross-border business development and to the Special EU Programmes Body which administers the PEACE and INTERREG programmes. “Since North/South Bodies are funded jointly by the Northern Ireland Assembly and Dáil ?ireann in varying proportions, we examined how these arrangements are working in practice and whether they are supporting high standards of financial management and accountability.” The Committee addressed issues in a number of areas including the timely provision of accounts, inconsistencies in governance arrangements, retention of cash reserves, the complexity of EU programmes and measuring the impact of PEACE programmes. Mr Maskey added: “I particularly welcome comments from the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and Finance and Personnel that their oversight arrangements for their respective North/South Bodies are the same as exist for any other sponsored body, with the additional consideration of their corresponding Department in the Republic of Ireland. This is a sound principle which the Committee endorses.” “This has proven to be a worthwhile exercise in our oversight of North/South Bodies. I found our discussions with our counterparts in Dáil ?ireann particularly useful, as it provided us with an opportunity to co-ordinate our work and so examine a wider range of bodies. As we move forward, I am in no doubt that we will return to this subject to ensure that progress has been made in the implementation of our recommendations.”

A portrait of The Rt Hon The Lord Bannside of North Antrim MLA (formerly Rev Dr Ian Paisley) is to hang in Parliament Buildings. The picture, which celebrates Lord Bannside’s time as First Minister, was unveiled today by the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr William Hay MLA. Speaking before the portrait was unveiled in front of members of the Paisley family, political figures and well wishers, Speaker William Hay said, “I am honoured to be able to unveil this portrait, on behalf of the Assembly Commission and to pay tribute to one of Northern Ireland’s most familiar politicians. “Lord Bannside has received many accolades for his efforts to secure the peace process in Northern Ireland. His time as First Minister was praised widely for showing that co-operation and goodwill could be achieved by those from differing political traditions. “This portrait is a small sign of the respect and affection that the Northern Ireland Assembly has for Lord Bannside .” Lord Bannside has been a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly since 1998. His historic term as First Minister, following the return of devolution in 2007, came to an end on 5 June 2008. Lord Bannside was painted by Irish artist David Nolan and the painting will hang on the First Floor of Parliament Parliament Buildings, alongside other portraits of First and deputy First Ministers.

The new Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Stephen Moutray MLA, is looking forward to the challenge of chairing the Committee. Mr Moutray said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the new Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development. Like other Members of the Assembly, I am well aware of the excellent work of this Committee and of my predecessor Ian Paisley Jnr. The remit of this Committee is wide and varied and I relish the challenge. Agriculture is the biggest employer in Northern Ireland and in the current economic climate our farming industry is struggling to support the livelihoods of those who depend upon it. This Committee is only too aware of the difficulties faced by farmers and those who live and work in rural areas and I am confident that this Committee will continue to work to ensure that legislation and policies coming from the Department will deliver results for our rural communities. This Committee is currently dealing with two significant pieces of legislation, the Dogs (Amendment) Bill and the Welfare of Animals Bill and I know that there is a demanding and comprehensive schedule of work ahead but I am ready for the challenge and look forward to working with the other Members of the Committee.” ENDS Notes to Editors The Chairperson of the Committee is Mr. Stephen Moutray The deputy Chairperson of the Committee is Mr. Tom Elliott The Committee has a further nine members: Mr. PJ Bradley Mr. Willie Clarke Mr. Pat Doherty Mr. William Irwin Mr. Kieran McCarthy Dr. William McCrea Mr. Francie Molloy Mr. George Savage Mr. Jim Shannon 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

24 June 2010 ARD 14/09/10 NEW AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON READY FOR THE CHALLENGE The new Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Stephen Moutray MLA, is looking forward to the challenge of chairing the Committee. Mr Moutray said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the new Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development. Like other Members of the Assembly, I am well aware of the excellent work of this Committee and of my predecessor Ian Paisley Jnr. The remit of this Committee is wide and varied and I relish the challenge. Agriculture is the biggest employer in Northern Ireland and in the current economic climate our farming industry is struggling to support the livelihoods of those who depend upon it. This Committee is only too aware of the difficulties faced by farmers and those who live and work in rural areas and I am confident that this Committee will continue to work to ensure that legislation and policies coming from the Department will deliver results for our rural communities. This Committee is currently dealing with two significant pieces of legislation, the Dogs (Amendment) Bill and the Welfare of Animals Bill and I know that there is a demanding and comprehensive schedule of work ahead but I am ready for the challenge and look forward to working with the other Members of the Committee.” ENDS Notes to Editors The Chairperson of the Committee is Mr. Stephen Moutray The deputy Chairperson of the Committee is Mr. Tom Elliott The Committee has a further nine members: Mr. PJ Bradley Mr. Willie Clarke Mr. Pat Doherty Mr. William Irwin Mr. Kieran McCarthy Dr. William McCrea Mr. Francie Molloy Mr. George Savage Mr. Jim Shannon 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

Pupils from Ballyholme Primary School Choir hit all the top notes as they performed for the Northern Ireland Assembly in Parliament Buildings today. The Assembly Committee for Culture Arts and Leisure invited the choir to perform following the school’s recent success in the 2010 BBC Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year. The choir sang a selection of songs during the 20 minute performance, including ‘Purify my heart’ which they sang in the televised contest. Chair of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Barry McElduff, MLA said: “The Committee was delighted to welcome Ballyholme Primary School Choir today and to hear them sing. The dedication and commitment of the pupils and teachers is clear and it’s easy to see why they were awarded School Choir of the year. The pupils are a credit to their school, their families and the community. “The choir’s success and appearances throughout the televised competition were fantastic and today’s performance was equally enjoyable and entertaining. It’s great to see and hear young talent emerging and being recognised.” Ballyholme Primary School Choir’s performance at Parliament Buildings was watched by MLAs and Assembly staff in the Great Hall.

Without a significant improvement in the skills of our workers, Northern Ireland will continue to lag behind its neighbours. That’s what the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Employment and Learning heard as they held a meeting at the Technology and Skills Centre of the South West College in Enniskillen. MLAs heard about the variety of skills training that the college undertakes, including apprenticeships, essential skills, training for Success programmes, Steps to Work programmes and foundation degrees in a range of subjects, including engineering. Chairperson Dolores Kelly MLA, said: “It is very clear to the Committee that if we do not offer our young people the very best in skills training we will be left behind by our competitors. “What the College has established at the Centre is very impressive. The Committee has seen state of the art equipment and training methods being applied. The South West College should be very proud of the facilities that they provide here for the young people of Fermanagh and beyond. “We were very interested in the work that the college is taking forward with foundation degrees. This allows people to undertake higher education learning in their local college and means that HE is not confined to Belfast. “With foundation degrees in local colleges new skills and innovation should be brought to the area to revive the local economy. Fermanagh, like so many places here, has long suffered from underinvestment. Now, with young people in the local community learning new skills in areas such as engineering and sciences, we believe that they will make a real impact on local businesses and will increase the number of local entrepreneurs.”

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education today (23 June 2010) visited a North Belfast school to see first hand school facilities described by the Inspectorate as ‘far short of acceptable’. Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin - an Irish Medium school in North Belfast - received an Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) in 2007 which stated that ‘Despite the teachers’ best efforts, the inadequate accommodation affects the quality of learning and teaching by impinging adversely on the morale of the teachers and children.’ A Committee spokesperson said: “The Board of Governors invited the Committee to visit today and see for ourselves the conditions in which teachers and pupils have to work and learn. “The Committee is very concerned at the lack of progress in tackling the school’s accommodation problems. We understand the Department of Education is conducting a Review to determine how the very limited money available for building work should be prioritised. Whether Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin will get a new school will not be known until the results of that Review are announced. “Despite these conditions the Committee was pleased to see the 2010 ETI Report note improvements in the quality of education provided since its 2007 report. The Committee has also written to the Department of Education about the situation at Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin. The Department has responded saying that following a visit to the school Belfast Education and Library Board will be seeking the Department’s approval for minor capital works to address toilet and security issues. The Committee recently received a budget update briefing from Department of Education officials which highlighted that between £270 and £290 million of repairs were needed on schools in Northern Ireland.