Northern Ireland Assembly, 16 October 2012

328 contributions from 68 members. The official report.

Ministerial Statements

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for the statement, very short though it was.

I note his comments regarding EU matters, which are timely given that he will host the chair of the EU Committee on Transport later this week. Will the Minister expand on the priorities of the Irish presidency of the EU in respect of transport? Do those tie in with the priorities that he will present to the chair of the EU Committee on Transport this Friday? Is he content that the Department of Transport in the South is on board in representing the needs of the North of Ireland during the negotiations on TEN-T and the connecting European facility?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. The Member will know that the Irish presidency comes at a most opportune time, as a range of EU proposals, particularly the Trans-European Transport Network or TEN-T regulation, will go some way to determining how we travel throughout the European Union well into the future.

The Member mentioned that Mr Brian Simpson MEP, who is chair of the Transport Committee of the European Parliament, is coming as my guest later this week. We will take the opportunity to look at a number of projects and have some discussions, including with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee for Regional Development. That is very welcome. Any influence that we can have on European matters, particularly in relation to TEN-T, will be very important. With the presidency being held by the Republic of Ireland early next year, there will obviously be further opportunities.

Alex Easton (DUP, North Down)

Was the proposed bridge from Warrenpoint across Carlingford lough, which was mentioned on the BBC website yesterday, brought up at the meeting? Will that issue have to be raised at the Executive?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question. I can confirm that there was no discussion at the transport sectoral meeting of the Narrow Water bridge proposal. That is the factual position in relation to the meeting on which I am reporting this morning.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

Planning approval has been granted for the Narrow Water bridge on both sides of Carlingford lough. Will the Minister join me in welcoming that decision as an improvement of the road strategy on this island? I hope that he is more enthusiastic about this project than his predecessor.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I think we are stretching the report on the North/South Ministerial Council sectoral meeting. However, it is important for me, as the Minister for Regional Development, to say that my Department has not had any direct involvement in the Narrow Water bridge proposal. It is not on any of our future work programmes, nor has the Department made any commitment to contribute to it. The southern relief road would be a better strategic option than the Narrow Water Bridge proposal. Nevertheless, there are a number of significant issues around the Narrow Water Bridge proposal, particularly in relation to the navigation of the channel and the potential for queues to build up on both approaches to Narrow Water roundabout on the A2 Warrenpoint Road. My Department's position on the Narrow Water Bridge proposal thus far has been to offer co-operation to those developing and taking forward the project, but, I repeat, it has not had any direct involvement, nor has it made any commitment to contribute funds to it.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

I thank the Minister for his short statement. It is so short that it is very difficult to get a question out of it, but I will try to throw something in his direction. The A5 and A8 schemes are mentioned in this brief statement. Is the Minister happy that, by proceeding with both schemes, there will be opportunities for our local construction industry to get involved and provide local employment?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question. I will avoid the temptation to simply give a one-word answer and reduce even further my contribution. The Member raises an important issue about the potential for both the A5 and A8 schemes to provide employment opportunities and sustained work, particularly in the road construction industry. It is therefore important that I had the great privilege of officially cutting the first sod of the A8 scheme last week. That is a scheme that will provide opportunities. It will open up the road from Belfast to the Port of Larne and will improve the capacity for the movement of people and goods. I do not underestimate the huge benefit that that scheme and sections of the A5, when we are able to proceed with them, will have for local economies and the employment that they will give to people in the construction industry.

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement, particularly for the large font size that helped stretch it to two pages. The Minister will be pleased to know that I am not going to ask him about the Narrow Water proposal, as another question on that might be a bridge too far. His statement mentioned the events that are being organised during the Republic of Ireland's EU presidency. Will he give us some more detail on that? Are there particular events that are of importance to transport issues in Northern Ireland?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question. We were faced with the choice of either making the font size bigger or leaving room for people like him to colour in. We chose a bigger font size this time.

As the Member knows, the Republic of Ireland will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union from January to June 2013. The presidency's function is to chair meetings of the council, determine its agendas, set a work programme and facilitate dialogue both at council meetings and at meetings of other EU institutions. It can therefore be a very influential position, helping to broker compromise between European institutions so that they reach a consensus on regulations.

Certainly, the presidency period puts Northern Ireland in a strong position to influence policy so that regional variance is taken into account. My Department has well established contacts at official level with the Republic of Ireland, and I am keen to continue building on those good relationships in the run-up to, and throughout, the Irish presidency. However, although events being organised in the Republic of Ireland during its presidency will be of interest, any request to hold meetings in Northern Ireland or at the Executive's office in Brussels would have to be carefully considered before it was agreed to. However, there will be, of course, cases where it would be mutually beneficial to facilitate some events.

Declan McAleer (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. As recently as yesterday, I was speaking with representatives of the construction sector about the A5. Obviously, they are very anxious that the project goes ahead as soon as possible, because it is estimated that as many as 800 jobs are on hold pending the legal challenge that is ongoing. Has the Minister had any direct engagements with the successful companies who tendered for the scheme to keep them updated with developments? Does he have any indication of when the legal challenge may commence and, indeed, conclude?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for raising a very important point. I suppose, effectively, the question is this: has the legal action the potential to cost jobs? That may depend on the duration of the legal process. Any delay in starting the scheme will prevent construction for the current programme. If the scheme does not proceed, there will be very significant implications for jobs across the Province. As he said, the construction industry has estimated that the sections that are being taken forward at this time will, at their peak, provide direct employment for over 800 workers. Therefore, that will also help to safeguard existing jobs in the industry. In addition, there will be a significant effect on jobs that are associated with the supply chain, although that is harder to quantify. Obviously, in such a situation, the preservation of jobs overall will be dependent on the reallocation of funds to other construction projects. That is not necessarily guaranteed, but my officials continue to liaise closely with the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) on the financial implications of the legal action. Of course, I confirm again that we will defend robustly the legal challenge that has been presented to us.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

The Minister mentioned the significant EU proposals affecting the transport sector, one of which is switching funding towards encouraging rail freight. That, of course, would disadvantage Northern Ireland, owing to the short distances that are involved in our freight movements and the economics of that. Has there been any recognition that that proposal will disadvantage Northern Ireland, and have allowances been made for us?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. That issue has not been discussed at sector level. I am aware of the issue, and I will seek to carry it forward through further discussions with various agencies.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his very informative, albeit short, statement. The Member who spoke previously touched on what I was going to ask. When the Minister spoke about EU matters, he said that there were implications for the transport sector that would affect both jurisdictions. Can you elaborate on that?

How often does the transport sector get feedback from you about what goes on in these sectoral format meetings? There is a worry and a fear in the transport sector. I declare an interest in the transport sector. If that sector goes down, the economy will go down too as it is the biggest provider to the economy.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. I agree with him about the importance of the transport sector, particularly the freight sector, and its role in the local economy.

The Member will know that, until recently, work was carried out by the all-Ireland freight forum. That forum was established to encourage co-operation on freight issues to help to develop a more sustainable freight sector. Much of that very good work has now been completed, and the freight forum is no longer being continued. I am satisfied, as is my counterpart in the Irish Republic, Minister Varadkar, that sufficient contacts have been made North and South for important issues to be carried forward as necessary. We endeavour, through officials, to keep representatives of the freight sector and transport sector updated on ongoing issues.

Joe Byrne (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

Like others, I welcome the statement and congratulate the Minister on some of the topics that are included. I welcome the fact that the A8 project has commenced. Can the Minister confirm that the Department for Regional Development project team is still intact and is working in a committed way on the A5? Secondly, does he have any comment to make about the moneys that had been earmarked for the project each month? Where will they go? Can he give an assurance that there will be no diminution of the project?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his encouraging remarks about the statement and its content. I am happy to confirm that my departmental officials are in ongoing contact with officials from DFP to manage the financial resources as a consequence of the current legal situation. We hope that we can move quickly. As I have said, it is our intention to robustly defend the legal challenge to us, and we very much hope that we can resolve those issues. That is dependent on work in another place through the courts.

In the meantime, we are using our resources wisely in conjunction with the Department of Finance and Personnel so that we can carry out necessary structural maintenance, which is an ongoing matter, and can then reallocate finances at a later date to the sections that we are carrying forward. It is our intention to continue to carry those sections forward as quickly as possible.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Were any of the discussions in the All Ireland Freight Forum about rail freight, particularly the deep water port of Lisahally, through which, as the Minister knows, the railway line runs?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. He will know that, effectively, little or no freight is moved by rail in either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, and, frankly, for reasons of economics, that seems likely to continue to be the case.

Bronwyn McGahan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat. I understand that £10 million a month will be taken from the A5 budget and is earmarked for other schemes. Can you guarantee that that is the case and that there is no danger that it could return to the British Treasury?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member for her supplementary question. I simply laugh at any suggestion that I would give money back to the British Treasury — give money back to my own country. [Interruption.] We hope to manage the situation that is before us. It is a challenge, and we very much hope that we can resolve the legal issues surrounding the challenge to us. We are seeking to work with DFP to ensure that no money has to go back or remains unspent.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Minister, is the statement remarkably short because, in truth, there was remarkably little business, even after a six-month gap, to complete on that occasion? Even with the participants spinning out the event as much as they could — I am sure that Mr Attwood's ability to talk endlessly on any subject was a great assistance — what was the duration of the meeting? How much do the meetings cost? Was anything done at the meeting that could not be done by telephone or video link?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful for the Member's question, and I do not underestimate my own ability to talk at length on very little. I did not get where I am today by not talking at length about very little. [Laughter.] The meeting lasted approximately an hour, and it was a useful discussion. For the Member's interest, and perhaps for the interest and curiosity of others, we arrived early enough to be welcomed with tea, coffee and shortbread. I mention this simply to encourage the Member to attend, if he wants to. Also, we concluded with a very nice brunch, because it was too early for lunch and too late for breakfast.

The Member can be satisfied that there was important dialogue. I do not know what the cost was, but I do not underestimate the importance of the issues that were discussed for our mutual benefit. If the Member wishes to become an observer at such events, we will try to facilitate that.

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

In advance of reading through the statement, given that some of it touches on road safety issues, I record and send the condolences of the House to the family of a further victim of our roads, who was killed in recent hours. Our roads are in the North, on the island and across the island, so the more that we do on an all-island basis to protect people on our streets and roads, and on our highways and byways, the better. People should maybe think about that.

In compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I, too, wish to make a statement on the thirteenth meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in transport sectoral format, held in Armagh on Friday 5 October 2012. As Members have heard, the meeting was chaired by Minister Varadkar TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and attended by the Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, and me. I will address the agenda items for which my Department has responsibility: mutual recognition of penalty points; road user safety; and vehicle safety.

I advised the Council of the Department for Transport's decision to introduce legislation that would lead to heavy goods vehicle (HGV) road user charging in the UK. It had been understood that the legislation was on the back-burner, but it recently transpired that it has been brought forward and, indeed, accelerated. That will have consequences for HGV traffic on the island, not least because of our particular and unique circumstance of sharing a land border with another jurisdiction. Those matters were discussed at the meeting, are discussed around the meeting and are being raised, through Dublin and through me, with the London Government.

The Council also noted that the European Commission has been asked for clarity on matters relating to bus cabotage. Members will be aware of the situation that arose with cabotage in the north-west and that this was an inter-jurisdictional matter. There is a lack of guidance from the European authorities on what "temporary" might mean when it comes to the conduct of cross-border cabotage, and the European authorities have yet to provide further information. Nonetheless, we have to manage the situation that we face and append any further advice, if there is any further advice, from Europe.

We also discussed the potential implications of the EU roadworthiness package, the scale of which is very significant. Minister Varadkar, Minister Kennedy and I are at one that the scale of roadworthiness proposals is beyond what might be necessary. We are mindful that the need to improve the roadworthiness of vehicles is essential given the scale of deaths in the European Union that arises from vehicles not being roadworthy.

The Council also noted that the terms of reference and membership of the steering and working groups have been agreed to take forward work on the mutual recognition of penalty points. This demonstrates why ministerial involvement is needed, as the advice given to me, at an official level, was that we could not do this. I was advised that it could be done only on an all-islands basis, as with the mutual recognition of driver disqualification that is now in place. However, through the efforts of Minister Varadkar and me, we ascertained that we had the ability to do this on all-island, not on an all-islands, basis.

Given the need for mutual recognition of penalty points as a means to improve driving and to protect road users, we have decided, through the NSMC, to take that forward. We agreed the timetable of key milestones for having necessary primary and secondary legislation in place by 31 December 2014. I welcome the advancement of that very difficult work. There is no place in Europe where two jurisdictions have mutual recognition of penalty points. This is groundbreaking, technical, difficult and logistically demanding work, yet it is being advanced on this island, and, in the fullness of time, it will be a template for other members of the European Union. It was noted that an update on the matter would be reported to the next NSMC transport meeting, scheduled for April next year, but we hope that the respective legislation will go through the Dáil and the Assembly in 2013-14.

We also discussed road user safety. The Council welcomed the continued sharing of knowledge and experience between officials from both jurisdictions on the development and delivery of our respective road safety strategies. That will ensure the best approach to reducing the number and severity of injuries across the island.

We discussed progress on the reduction of drink-drive limits in each jurisdiction, and I shared progress on the drafting of legislation to improve Northern Ireland's driver training, testing and post-test regime, which I hope to introduce in the Assembly before the end of the year. Those proposals were enthusiastically welcomed and supported by the Executive, including Minister Kennedy, at our meeting in the first week in July. We hope to have that legislation introduced in the Assembly before the end of this year, passed before the summer recess and operational during 2014.

I move now to vehicle safety. The Council welcomed the continued proactive co-operation to target a wide range of illegal activity within the goods haulage and passenger transport industries, including an increasingly targeted approach towards enforcement; continuing liaison on cross-border enforcement operations, of which there will be five in 2012 in both jurisdictions; and co-operation in relation to vehicle standards, including the mutual recognition of vehicle type approval, which will allow for simplification of the registration process. That matter is being taken forward on an all-island basis. There is also continued co-operation on the exchange of data and follow-up on unroadworthy foreign vehicles in either jurisdiction.

The Council also noted the excellent co-operation on the enforcement of EU tachograph and drivers’ hours rules and the proposed training exchange for enforcement officers that will take place in 2013.

Given that we have a land border and that we share this island with people in the Republic, those sorts of interventions are very important to ensure that those who are on the road are fit to be on the road.

Simon Hamilton (DUP, Strangford)

I thank the Minister for his statement. The Minister mentioned drink-driving levels and said that the Irish were proposing to change their system as well. Can he confirm whether they are proposing to drop their acceptable levels to the same level as the Minister is approving? Is there any contemplation in the Irish Republic of some of the policies that he is suggesting for learner drivers and restrictions immediately after they pass their test?

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

I thank the Member for his question. I can confirm that the Southern authorities have already changed the law in respect of alcohol limits in people's blood giving rise to prosecution. That went into effect on their October bank holiday last year. Therefore, it is almost the first anniversary of that law. We are following their lead in reducing alcohol limits for novice drivers, professional drivers and, generally, all drivers in the image of what has been done in the Republic. We are doing that in the image of what, increasingly, is the tendency and practice in other European states and around the world. We are, therefore, deploying best practice for all the obvious reasons.

In some ways, the South is ahead of us. For example, they already require a minimum number of lessons for a novice driver to complete in advance of doing their test. I looked at that option here in the North. In my view, given the economic circumstances that we face, that might have imposed an undue financial burden on novice drivers in advance of doing their test. On the other hand, the proposals that the Executive endorsed in July are some of the most advanced and bold driver training regime proposals that have come forward on these islands and, indeed, in Europe. Just as there might be a template for the all-Ireland recognition of penalty points, I would like to think that what we are doing, subject to the endorsement of the Assembly when the Bill comes before the House later this year, will set a template for driver training going forward to improve driver performance, reduce the risk of injury and death and, on the far side of that, ensure that there are opportunities to reduce driver premiums. That is the family of reasons why we are doing this. I would like to think that, in the fullness of time, Minister Varadkar will embrace some of our thinking.

Caitriona Ruane (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá a fhios ag an Aire go bhfuil an-suim ag Sinn Féin i ndroichead Chaol Uisce. The Minister knows that Sinn Féin has an interest in the Narrow Water bridge. I welcome the decision made by the Minister and pay tribute to Louth County Council and the Rostrevor, Warrenpoint and Kilkeel Chambers of Commerce. I also welcome the Bord Pleanála decision in the South. Indeed, a couple of months ago, I gave evidence to a Bord Pleanála hearing in Carlingford. This is an important project. In the light of that importance, will the Minister outline the next steps that his Department will take to ensure that we all lobby INTERREG to ensure we get funding for this important project?

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

I hope that we are all already lobbying INTERREG and have been doing so for a very long time. I hope that nobody in the House is coming late to this issue. DRD has had an input into the decision. I say that because it was raised in Minister Kennedy's contribution. Roads Service is a consultee on the decision, just as many other people, organisations and agencies are consultees. Similarly, in respect of the Bord Pleanála decision, it has to go off and consult a wide range of agencies. No doubt that includes the relevant road authorities in the South. If Roads Service had flagged up fundamental, impossible difficulties with the proposal, that would have been taken into account in the planning decision that I issued. However, that was not what it was saying to us. No issue raised by Roads Service or the relevant Departments in the North of Ireland, of which a number fed into the proposal, was an obstacle to planning permission being issued. Yes, this has to be managed properly, but the management issues on the Northern side are much less than on the Southern side, given that we already have the road between Newry and Warrenpoint and the point at which the bridge would cross the river is at the roundabout on the northern side of Warrenpoint. Therefore, although those are important matters logistically and managerially, the Northern side has, it seems to me, less burden that the Southern side.

I hope that a single message comes out from the Chamber, the Executive and all the representatives in the South that, after the decades of effort by the McGradys and the McCarts and the Bradleys and all the other political, commercial and business representatives in that area, we are within touching distance of having a bridge by the end of 2015. Last Thursday evening, I spoke to Pat Colgan, chief executive of the SEUPB, to flag up that the decision was about to issue. He could not say one way or the other where the board would be come the end of the month, but he did not give me any indication not to be encouraged. That does not pre-empt any decision that might be made in the next two or three weeks. We all have to put our shoulder to the wheel and get this over the line. The opportunities for trade, tourism and relationships in that part of Ireland can only be enhanced by the project.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for that. I am conscious of the road safety aspect. Are there standard MOT and PSV standards or at least similar standards in Northern Ireland, the remainder of the UK and the Republic of Ireland?

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

I thank the Member for his question. It is a broad question: MOT and road standards can affect motorcycles, cars, minibuses, coaches and other vehicles, including heavy goods vehicles. So, the question is very broad because it covers a vast range of categories. However, as I indicated in my earlier answer, when it comes to the recognition of motor vehicle type approval, the Department for Transport (DFT) in London, on behalf of the other jurisdictions in Britain and Northern Ireland, is trying to develop the mutual recognition of motor vehicle type through an MOU, which would essentially allow mutual recognition of approvals that issue to vehicles in the Republic and in the other jurisdictions of Britain and Northern Ireland. The principle behind the question was whether there would be a common system. The answer is, unfortunately, no, not at this stage. Will there be recognition of approvals issued to vehicles in the South in respect of our authority, and will they recognise the approvals issued here or in Britain in respect of our authority? That is where we hope to go.

Pat Ramsey (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

I welcome the Minister's statement. Can he provide further details on the planned scale of all-Ireland recognition of penalty points? Can he reaffirm that this will be the first time that jurisdictions in Europe will co-operate on this formal recognition?

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

As I said earlier and confirm again, there is no model in Europe for the mutual recognition of penalty points by two jurisdictions. Therefore, this is groundbreaking work. As I indicated in my statement, the terms of reference and the membership of the working group have now been agreed to take forward this difficult work. We will not be able to capture all penalty points on the island in the first phase, so we are trying to capture the penalty points that most impact on people's safety. So, penalty points in respect of the use of mobile phones, the wearing of seat belts, alcohol-related convictions and two other categories will be in the first phase. Those are the critical issues that demonstrate where there is the greatest risk of road death and injury. Logistically, it will be difficult because there are different systems. In the South, penalty points are an administrative process; in the North, it is a judicial process managed through prosecution in our courts. So, it is not a straightforward one-size-fits-all system. It is logistically complex to get mutual recognition and equivalence between offences in terms of the penalty points system that might then be imposed on an all-Ireland basis. However, we were able to do it in respect of the all-island recognition of driving disqualifications. There is huge political commitment behind it, and I am impressed by the work of respective officials in the North and South to get this over the line, and, as I indicated, I would not give a date of 2014 for legislation unless we were minded to get to that point.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

I thank the Minister for his short statement. I could not help but notice the Minister's enthusiasm in his response to a question from Caitríona Ruane about the new bridge. I remind the Minister that, since long before his time, we in the Strangford constituency have campaigned for a bridge between Strangford and Portaferry — for 50 or maybe 60 years; long before my time — and it has not arrived.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I must insist that the Member comes back to the statement.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

OK. The Minister also mentioned road user safety. We very much welcome efforts along those lines, but does the Minister regret the abolition and withdrawal of funding from the road safety committees that performed an excellent service for many years in preventing road accidents in Northern Ireland?

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

I thank the Member for his questions. I note his comment about this being a short statement. There is a rather bizarre convention — the Speaker knows this and is nodding in anticipation of what I am going to say — that what is issued in the communiqué following an NSMC meeting or sectoral meeting has to be reflected in the body of the statement. I would like to have much more elaborate statements, but then we would have to issue communiqués after meetings that would be the scale and length of the Hansard recording of this debate, and that would not help anybody to understand what is happening. So the statements are short because of that convention. That is why I certainly try to add colour and detail by commenting at length. [Interruption.] This is a serious point, Mr Speaker. Most of the people from the North who went to the meeting in Leinster House last Friday that you chaired along with the Cheann Comhairle, which was a fortunate event, or went to the unfortunate events at the Aviva Stadium later that night got there by way of a road that was built with a contribution from Dublin and agreed by the North/South Ministerial Council in transport sectoral format and the North/South Ministerial Council itself. Those not here who decry the workings of the North/South bodies, say these statements are short and a puff of smoke and giggle in the back corridors of this Building about what is happening should remember what the Irish Government did in co-operation with the Northern Government to improve relationships and transport on a North/South basis to the benefit of every person in the Chamber. Whether there are a lot of words or few words, enormous work needs to be taken forward on the far side of the long-awaited review of North/South arrangements, which was commissioned nearly six years ago after St Andrews. To date, not a piece of paper has been issued on that. We and the Dublin Government should challenge ourselves to ensure that, come this December, when the NSMC meets in Farmleigh or in Armagh, there is a new acceleration of North/South opportunities. In my view, such opportunities have been strangled over the past four or five years for political reasons, and they now need to be liberated in this time of difficulty on the island of Ireland, so that all the people of Ireland can go forward with some sort of hope and opportunity.

I note what the Member said about a bridge between Portaferry and Strangford. That is the first time that that issue has been raised with me. I will refer it to the other Minister; maybe he will have more enthusiasm for that bridge than he demonstrated earlier for the one at Narrow Water.

We have to recognise that the road safety committees did great work — I do not deny that, and I appreciate it — but what is the best way of getting the road safety message out to all generations, especially the young? There are other better, newer models. For example, the highway code has been published in Irish, Russian, Lithuanian, Polish and two other languages. There are ways and means of getting the road safety message out, as well the traditional ones.

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

I will not ask the Minister about any bridge in Strangford. If that were being dealt with by the North/South Ministerial Council, as a unionist, I would be slightly worried that the border had shifted overnight.

I refer the Minister to an important element of the statement on vehicle safety. He talked about:

"co-operation in relation to vehicle standards, including mutual recognition of vehicle type approval, which will allow simplification of the registration process."

What steps will need to be taken to bring that about? What is the timescale for implementation?

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

I thank the Member for his question. The work on the MOU by DFT in London in respect of that recognition, which he referred to and which I spoke to earlier, is at an advanced stage. The DVA in the North had some questions about whether the mutual recognition of the approval regime would mean that people could go to the North to get their vehicles approved because the regime here is cheaper. That is a point to be raised, but it is not an impediment to that MoU being deployed. The DVA has accepted that that is an issue that it can keep under review but it should not be any impediment to mutual recognition in the way that I spoke about. The time frame is, I think, short. I am not certain whether it is very short or merely short, but I will confirm that in writing to the Member.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. A TV campaign was launched last week in the South highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of cannabis. Bearing it in mind that, after alcohol, cannabis remains the psychoactive substance most associated with road traffic accidents — indeed, cannabis users are more than three times more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident — does the Minister have plans to replicate such a TV campaign here in the North?

I acknowledge the work of Lyle Bailie, the Department and all the families and others who contributed to those ads. The Northern Ireland campaign, whilst it does get noticed very often, gets international awards. It recently got an award for the second ad in history that was in 3D for road safety. That was in cinemas in advance of the recent Spider-Man movie.

There are technical issues about testing people for drugs. That is work we are taking forward with the London Government in order to have the best science and scientific equipment deployed to be more able to deal with the issue of drug-related driving incidents. That is difficult work, and we hope to get something over the line in that regard.

The ads that we display do not differentiate between drug- or drink-related incidents, convictions or events. There may be an argument for doing something in respect of drug-related — cannabis-related, in particular — events. I will certainly take that up with the people in the Department and with Lyle Bailie.

George Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry)

I thank the Minister for his statement. Will the Minister agree that standardisation of legislation and tougher enforcement are key components of integrated vehicle safety schemes?

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

Yes. That is what we are trying to do. If you look across the life of the Department, you see that, although some of these things are difficult because in the short term there may be some expense to be incurred, we are trying to roll out regulation, be it in respect of taxis, heavy goods vehicles, party buses and so on. If you have good regulation, good business prospers, the customer is protected and the illegal, if not the criminal, has more chance of being driven out of the business. If you ask hauliers, taxi people or people involved in the hire of coaches or minibuses, they will tell you that it is the illegal that is one of the big threats to the viability of their business. If you have regulation with enforcement against the worst offenders and an appropriately light touch against lesser offenders and at the same time send out the message about road safety across all categories of road user, you have an integrated approach. However, people need to appreciate that, in order to get to the integrated approach, to have best practice, to drive out illegality and to have greater opportunities for businesses in the North, it may require some regulation at some cost in the first instance. On the far side of that, however, all those who run good business of whatever character can prosper.

Cathal Boylan (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an ráiteas sin. I thank the Minister for his statement. Although it was only a short statement, it is all about the content, Minister, so you are fine.

In light of recent accidents and given that we are moving into darker evenings and weather conditions that will lead to more treacherous road conditions, I am sure that the Minister will join me in appealing to road users to be more careful and mindful.

What discussions has the Minister had with the Department for Transport and the Minister in the South on the implications of the EU roadworthiness package? What measures does he propose to introduce here to reduce the impact of the proposals?

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

I thank the Member for his question and agree completely with his comments. As of today and arising from a range of factors, 33 people have been killed on the roads in this calendar year. This time last year, the equivalent figure was 42. However, any number in and around 30 or 35 is still very high, and that does not tell the story of the pain and trauma suffered by the bereaved families. As we speak, however, the figures are better than they were last year and the previous year. They are the best of any year to date. That is a consequence of very good work by the Department and my predecessor. I note that he is in the Chamber. I recognise that the deployment of road safety advertisements, for example, was a very wise intervention. We all know that bad weather and dark nights increase the risk. Therefore, it is timely to send out the message today in advance of the bad weather and darker nights.

As I said in my statement, at the meeting, both Northern Ministers and Minister Varadkar spoke about the EU roadworthiness proposals. It may be that, as is its character, the EU is testing the waters, as the scale of its proposals appears, on the face of it, disproportionate to what it wants to achieve. Therefore, the EU may be aiming high but prepared, in the fullness of time, through conversation and negotiation, to come back to a more moderate place.

More roadworthiness is needed. Over a number of years, the scale of deaths in Europe because of roadworthiness issues has been measured in thousands. Indeed, my information is that, over a number of years, there could have been 15,000 such deaths. So I accept that roadworthiness has to be addressed. However, in my view and in the view of Mr Varadkar, the proposals are extravagant. The cost of installing the equipment for the new road testing in our centres and of having roadside inspection and detection and the cost to the industry of compliance by those with trailers or caravans seems extravagant. Minister Varadkar, Minister Kennedy and I will continue to make representations to Europe through London and directly from Dublin to Brussels to mitigate proposals that seem beyond what is reasonable.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Order. That concludes questions. Sorry, I call Mr Joe Byrne.

Joe Byrne (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Further to what the Minister said about HGV user charging in the UK, does he accept that it is important that the Northern Ireland road haulage industry is not disadvantaged when competing with hauliers in the Republic? Secondly, will he give consideration to the fact that the national car test in the Republic is more stringent than the MOT in the North?

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

On the former point, representations have been made to London — I know that Minister Varadkar continues to make the same representations — about the scale of HGV tolling proposals for foreign operators outlined by the London Government, not least because we share a border with a sister jurisdiction on the island of Ireland.

Thus far, the only flexibility that has been flagged up concerns some minor roads that criss-cross the border at certain points, where the regulation of HGV tolling would not be practical. That does not go far enough. Given what I indicated earlier about the Irish Government contributing to the development of roads infrastructure in the North, it seems to me that that should be recognised by the London Government in their management of the tolling proposals. As I understand it, there is huge support for the tolling proposals from the industry generally, and I understand why: vehicles from here and Britain that go to Europe will pay tolling charges, but vehicles that come from Europe to here or Britain will not be charged. There is an issue that needs to be looked at, but more flexibility should come from DFT than has been flagged up to date. The flexibility is of a technical nature, given the course of border roads; it does not deal with the overall strategic issue.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

With your permission, Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement about the outcome of recent investigations and reviews into matters relating to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).

The Fire and Rescue Service is one of our most crucial public services. It is there to protect and help our community. Every year, many lives are saved and properties protected by professional and dedicated firefighters, who often have to deal with very challenging and dangerous situations. The community owes them all a huge debt of gratitude for the work that they do.

In 2011-12, NIFRS handled over 43,000 emergency calls from members of the public who needed help. It responded to over 27,000 emergency incidents and rescued 173 people from major fires. It attended 576 road traffic collisions, and it has contributed to road deaths being approximately halved in Northern Ireland over the past two years. Only last weekend, firefighters rescued a 42-year-old woman from a house fire in Enniskillen. Sadly, she was later pronounced dead. In one recent incident, no fewer than 12 appliances and 60 firefighters were needed at a Newry bar to tackle a fire in which two people were trapped. In Warrenpoint, fire crews rescued a woman and a three-year-old from an apartment fire. We should not forget that firefighters face some very tragic scenes on our roads, like the recent traffic collision on the main A1 Belfast to Dublin road, where there were four casualties and, tragically, a 22-year-old woman lost her life.

Firefighters on the front line need to work in an organisation that commands the respect of all: an organisation that is managed effectively and efficiently with integrity and transparency, and with a clear sense of the need for clear accountability to the public it serves. Unfortunately, however, over recent months, there have been many instances in which the management and governance of the Fire and Rescue Service have been called into question.

The media have carried stories about whistle-blowing, and Members have tabled questions on a wide range of concerns.

Over recent years, a number of reviews and investigations have had to be carried out into the affairs and running of the Fire and Rescue Service. On foot of those reviews, Members will know that, earlier this year, I authorised the appointment of an interim chief executive as one of a series of measures to strengthen the management of NIFRS. I took that step because it was clear that robust intervention was needed to address significant issues at NIFRS headquarters that were threatening to drag the whole organisation into disrepute and deflect it from its core and crucial responsibility of ensuring the safety of the community it serves.

I am today publishing a number of reports that deal with investigations into allegations of irregularities at NIFRS, as well as a review of last year’s firefighter recruitment exercise. I do not intend to cover the full detail of those reports in my comments, although I shall of course be happy to deal with any points that Members raise. The reports will also be made publicly available on the departmental website.

In general, the reports contain a wide range of recommendations for change, which I will expect NIFRS management, working closely with my officials, to take forward expeditiously over the coming months. The report also points to the need for a radical improvement in the way that complaints and grievances are dealt with, for strengthened corporate governance arrangements, for better team working, for improved recruitment procedures and for a culture of change that is led from the top. The nature of the issues covered and the breadth of the recommendations for action make it crucial that a number of things happen.

First, fundamental change at NIFRS headquarters should be taken forward as a matter of absolute urgency by management there, and I have already indicated my expectations in that regard to senior NIFRS personnel. That process of change needs to be embraced at all levels of management, and my Department will give every assistance to NIFRS to ensure that that takes place.

Secondly, all existing grievances and complaints need to be drawn to a conclusion as soon as possible. It is not acceptable that those matters should remain unresolved after long periods of time. I shall not seek to defend NIFRS on those issues, and I shall look to NIFRS management to expedite outstanding cases, utilising external resources and expertise where necessary.

Thirdly, all NIFRS employees need to get behind their management team and work with them to move the organisation forward. We need to draw a line under what has been done in the past and move on, even though people may have divergent views.

Finally, I want to make it clear that I expect full and open accountability from NIFRS in the future. There have been failings in the past, and I will not tolerate them in the future.

I hope that the reports I am publishing today represent a watershed in the recent history of NIFRS. I have received assurances from senior NIFRS management that the issues and recommendations covered in the various reports will be acted upon with speed and vigour. I give them my full support in that regard, and I am confident that they can deliver.

I also want to acknowledge the whistle-blowers. I recognise that this has been a difficult process, and I am very conscious of the anxiety that the experience is likely to have caused them. I hope that they will recognise my commitment in taking forward a comprehensive investigation. Although not all of the conclusions will meet with their agreement, I thank them for coming forward and wish them well for their futures.

The time for investigating and reporting is over. The time for moving forward has come.

Two of the reports I am publishing today concern whistle-blowing and were carried out by officials from my Department’s internal audit group. The first report concerns allegations of irregularities by a member of NIFRS staff. The report largely substantiates the allegations made concerning a range of financial issues. It also identifies serious weaknesses in the way that the whistle-blower was treated. The report recommends that the Fire and Rescue Service reviews its procedures for investigations of any kind under grievance, harassment, disciplinary or other policies.

The report points to the need for improved processes. Securing those improvements will require a determined and transparent programme of change, which is underpinned by strong and consistent leadership with human resource dimensions at its core, in order to effect a step change in culture.

It is disappointing that such issues have had to come to light in the form of whistle-blowing, rather than being picked up through proper controls and governance arrangements. Weaknesses identified in those areas need to be put right. At the same time, I want not just to defend the right of staff to whistle-blow but to encourage it where they have genuine concerns and do not feel that they can raise an issue with their manager in the normal way. That is clearly what happened in this case. I want a climate of openness in our Fire and Rescue Service and a culture in which it is safe and acceptable for staff to raise concerns at any level and at any time.

The second whistle-blowing report relates to allegations made about a conflict of interest. Those related to the reconciliation of NIFRS stores and, in particular, to a former NIFRS store manager who ran his own company selling personal protection equipment. The internal audit investigation found that there were weaknesses in managing conflicts of interest. It made three recommendations that will enhance the management of NIFRS’s stores. Again, those recommendations must be implemented.

The third report relates to a review of a firefighter recruitment exercise last year. Concerns were raised about that recruitment exercise, some by Members of this House. For that reason, I asked Sir Ken Knight, Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser to the UK Government, to assist with an independent review of the whole process. The review was undertaken by officials from the London Fire Brigade under Sir Ken’s direction. I am grateful to Sir Ken and to London Fire Brigade for their assistance and expertise.

A separate element of the review was carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s central investigation service, and I am grateful to it for its assistance. That element examined the payment arrangements for claims submitted for overtime and expenses by staff assisting in the recruitment exercise.

Although I was encouraged to note from the report that proper and appropriate governance arrangements were adopted for the commencement of the recruitment campaign, I have deep concerns that an appeals process was introduced later and without the endorsement of the Fire and Rescue Service Board, which the report acknowledges should have formed part of the governance arrangements at the outset.

One issue raised in the complaints was that the process was biased towards relatives of senior managers in the service. Based on a review of the documentation available, no direct evidence of nepotism has been found, however, neither is there evidence that there was a clear separation of personal interest from decision-making.

The review into the payment arrangements and claims for overtime and expenses concluded that there was insufficient evidence to categorise the claims as being actual, attempted or suspected fraud. However, the report is clear that management in the Fire and Rescue Service did not fulfil their responsibilities to ensure the correct handling and use of public funds. As a result, financial control over the whole-time recruitment project was inadequate; payment arrangements were not appropriately approved; there was no written overtime policy and no written guidance on detached duties; and staff were able to claim overtime and subsistence over the hours they actually worked. These are significant weaknesses and will need to be put right at the earliest possible moment.

Too much time and effort have been spent on dealing with and investigating problems associated with the delivery of the corporate functions in the Fire and Rescue Service. That has to change. It is very clear that major mistakes have been made in the past. NIFRS now has an opportunity, with new leadership, to learn from these mistakes and ensure that they are not repeated. Procedures have not been followed correctly, and that must not happen again. Working practices need to be altered and modernised to reflect best practice. Working relationships have been soured and must be renewed.

The Fire and Rescue Service needs strong, visible leadership, with clear direction from the top of the organisation. I want to see the application of best practice in management and a team-based ethos and approach. I want staff to have confidence in the leadership of the Fire and Rescue Service, and that needs to be restored in light of recent events. I expect the highest standards of corporate governance and financial probity, and, at the same time, I expect all those who work for NIFRS to demonstrate loyalty and integrity.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has served and protected our community well through times of conflict and peace. We rely on it not only to fight fires but to cut people out of road traffic accidents, to drain flooded homes and, of course, to remind us to fit and test smoke alarms. The problems at Fire and Rescue Service headquarters should not be allowed to detract from that. I want a modern, dynamic Fire and Rescue Service, one that is the envy of other organisations. Today, NIFRS has an opportunity to take the first steps in that direction, and it has my full support as it moves ahead.

Sue Ramsey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I welcome the Minister's statement.

Over the past few years, we have all heard stories, a number of them through the media, regarding the Fire and Rescue Service. Like the Minister, I take this opportunity to commend the firefighters who are out there on a daily basis, sometimes putting their own lives at risk to save others. I highlight the fact that these reports are in no way a reflection on the work that they do for us in our community, but the reality is that it is a governance issue, and any negative stories that come out about the Fire and Rescue Service have an impact on staff morale.

As Members know, the Fire Service is an arm's-length body, but it is accountable to the Department. What changes has the Department made to its own monitoring arrangements since the issues have come to light? Does the Minister believe that the Department took too much of a hands-off approach in scrutinising the service, and, if so, will he assure the House and the wider public that that is no longer the case?

You also stated in your report, Minister, that you received assurances from senior Fire Service management that the report's recommendations will be fully implemented. However, given that some of the same people there now were in charge when there were irregular payments, when the whistle-blower was suspended, and so on, how can you be confident that the same managers are committed to bringing fundamental changes to the Fire Service? Has the Department learned lessons about how it responds to whistle-blowers? Will those lessons be applied throughout the health and social care sector?

I, like other Members, have just received these reports, and they contain a substantial amount of information. I will raise this tomorrow at the Health Committee meeting to see what it can do on it, but I will also raise it formally with the Public Accounts Committee because there are still assurances that we need to give to people out there, especially to Fire Service personnel who put their life on the line, and we can ensure that staff morale is lifted.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

A number of issues are to be covered there. First, of the 85 recommendations that arose from the reports, 18 are yet to be implemented. We intend to work thoroughly to achieve a better Fire Service than has been the case heretofore.

The Department has been closely involved in supervising the Fire Service for some time, and that has led to some very significant changes. The separation of the role of Chief Fire Officer from that of the accounting officer/chief executive aspect of that role is something that we see as temporary but necessary, so that we can bring in a new broom to resolve a lot of the issues that were cultural in the Fire Service, have existed for over a decade and that have seen come and go quite a number of chairmen of boards and Fire Service chief executives. So, we recognise that there is a substantial need for change. We are very aware of the shortcomings in the senior management of NIFRS. We are also aware that there are vacancies at a senior level. There is a lack of strong central HR functioning, poor team working and weak corporate systems. Those are all issues that we cannot leave as outstanding.

My Department will, for example, conduct quarterly accounting meetings with the Fire and Rescue Service. My officials meet regularly with the chair, the chief executive and the Chief Fire Officer, and those meetings are used to monitor the organisation's corporate effectiveness in addressing areas of concern. They also focus on issues identified today, while ensuring that the Fire and Rescue Service continues to protect our community. It is a similar approach to that being used for the Belfast Trust under special measures.

I have been concerned at the length of time taken to deal with grievances, and my permanent secretary reflected that when he issued a letter of apology to one of the whistle-blowers in July this year. I certainly do not think that the experience of that whistle-blower encourages others, which I regret because I have written to every member of staff to say that they should not just consider whistle-blowing, it is their duty to do so if they are aware of issues that are not being dealt with appropriately and properly and they cannot have such issues dealt with by their line managers. So, I consider it to be a matter of regret how Linda Ford in particular was dealt with, and I trust that that will not affect how other whistle-blowers deal with such issues in the future.

Francie Molloy (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I gave a certain leeway to the Committee Chair in asking her question. I ask all other Members to keep their questions brief and stick to them.

Paula Bradley (DUP, Belfast North)

I also welcome the Minister's statement. Will he tell us why the director of human resources post has been allowed to lie vacant for two and a half years?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The reports published today demonstrate the importance of a strong HR function. The previous director retired in April 2010, and my Department arranged for a secondment of a senior HR manager from May 2010 to July 2011, at which stage the Fire and Rescue Service indicated that it was ready to recruit. The recruitment process, however, has been protracted. I understand that it hopes to appoint a new director of human resources in the near future, but, again, it demonstrates governance weaknesses within the organisation.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement. He referred to financial control over the wholetime recruitment project being inadequate, payment arrangements not being appropriately approved and there being no written overtime policy or guidance on detached duties, etc. Those are fundamental weaknesses in any organisation. They are very basic management procedures that should be in place, even in a community and voluntary group, never mind an organisation of this size. Has any disciplinary action been taken against any of the senior management team for their atrocious management?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Member puts his finger on a number of issues related to the recruitment process. The report is quite extensive on inadequacies and failures in that process. Regrettably, quite a number of things happened during it that should not have happened. Quite a number of things should have been cleared with either the chief fire officer as accounting officer or, indeed, the board, but they were not.

The report recommends that they look at discipline. I hear what the Member says, and perhaps that reflects where the House is on the issue. Too often, people are moved sideways and discipline does not take place, but we have a report that clearly identifies deficiencies, and there is also a recommendation that the human resources side should look at what disciplinary steps might be taken. I hear what the Member says very clearly, and I trust that the board will hear what the Member says and what, I suspect, other Members will say clearly as well.

Conall McDevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I echo the Minister's support for front line fire officers.

How does the Minister feel able to say that too much time has been spent dealing with these problems, given that the investigations have found a need for fundamental change; given that the investigations have largely substantiated the allegations made concerning financial irregularities; given that the review finds that there were clear gaps in terms of knowing when a conflict of interest was a conflict of interest; and given that, although there was no direct evidence of nepotism, there is clearly a suggestion in the report that there were issues around nepotism? How can the Minister say that, and how can we accept it and move on, when the only person to have been held accountable for anything to date is the whistle-blower? Will he not ensure that individuals are fully held to account for their failures as identified in the report?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Member raises a number of valid points. I do not suggest that we should be moving on in a trivial way. I think that it is for the well-being of the organisation and the general public in Northern Ireland that the Fire and Rescue Service needs to focus on moving forward as opposed to investigating the past. A series of investigations have taken place. Do I want my senior fire officers to be concentrating on dealing with investigations or on dealing with how the fire service can best be managed in the future?

I am saying very clearly to the House — I trust that it is of some comfort to the Member — that what went on in the past is unacceptable and cannot happen in the future. We must concentrate our focus on it not happening in the future. I have great sympathy with the whistle-blowers on this issue. I have met two whistle-blowers in a private capacity and heard what they have to say, and I believe them to be genuine people. We need to deal well with those people and to show them due respect and courtesy for the service that they have provided and for their honesty and integrity.

However, we also need to try to ensure that the organisation is in a position to move forward without people constantly seeking to undermine others. I am not referring to whistle-blowers here. Others in the organisation appear to be seeking to undermine people in similar grades, and that is not good for the organisation's well-being. We need it to pull together and work as a team, and it will be a far stronger organisation for doing that.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

Surely this is the most damning report ever to come to the Chamber. People will have to be held responsible and accountable for what is contained in the Minister's statement. There can be no cover-up.

I reiterate what other Members said by paying tribute to the work and record of the Fire Service in saving lives. Firefighters put their lives in jeopardy to save others. Given what has been said in the statement, can the Minister assure us that he will not permit investigations or whatever else to deflect from ensuring that the Fire Service has the most modern, up-to-date equipment to carry on its work to help to prevent loss of life and property in Northern Ireland?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I agree that it is a damning report. I am not sure that it is the most damning report, but it certainly is damning, and I do not want to move back from that position.

A culture has existed in the organisation that is unacceptable, and that culture stretches back a long time. I think that it stretches back more than a decade. Frankly, that is the case. However, we have brought someone in from outside the organisation to take control of the corporate side and to ensure that we can deal with matters honestly and effectively and put the Fire Service on a solid footing to move forward, particularly at headquarters.

I give this assurance not just to the House but to the public: the service that the Fire and Rescue Service provides to the public has not been diminished as a result of what has happened in headquarters nor will it be allowed to diminish the very good work that is carried out on the ground. The Fire and Rescue Service responded to flooding cases, of which there have been a huge number; it responds to fires and saves lives; it responds to road traffic collisions; and, indeed, it was involved in the recent rescue at the Spence farm in my constituency. Firefighters go into very dangerous situations. Nothing in this report should detract from the individual fire officers who put their life on the line to provide a service that saves the life of many people in the country.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement. Will he advise whether geographical discrimination in the recruitment process is dealt with in the various reports?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The report acknowledged that there were a considerable number of applications for a low number of vacancies and that consideration should be given to options that could reduce the volume of applications in future. It focused on equality issues, such as gender and community background, rather than on geographical discrimination during the recruitment process. Of the 36 appointments, 15 were from the Protestant community, 18 were from the Roman Catholic community, and three candidates were from other community backgrounds. Those figures, given the number of applicants involved, differ from the proportionality of those applying.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Reading the report, Minister, I think that those in the management of the Fire Service who are damned by the report and are listening to this today are getting a slap on the wrist. If we are to restore the public's confidence and that of firefighters at the coalface, we must address the one thing that is missing: disciplinary action. We have an assurance from the Minister, but no disciplinary action is being taken. I refer you to the correspondence —

Francie Molloy (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Question.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

— that I had with you some time ago on Sir Ken Knight's report. You told me that the report's findings would not result in disciplinary action. I call on you today, Minister, to instigate a full, independent public inquiry into the whole governance of the Fire and Rescue Service.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I assure the Member that there will not be a full public inquiry. We have seen enough of tens of millions of pounds being wasted on public inquiries. It is much more effective to carry out investigations and to act on those than to engage in public inquiries that, very often, come many years after something has happened and many years after the issues have been resolved.

What has been reported on today is the result of a long period of transition. Important posts remained vacant, there have been corporate failings to develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures, and there have been very poor internal working relationships in the corporate headquarters. There have already been considerable changes in respect of the board, the chairman and the Chief Fire Officer post in recent years. The organisation needs stability and additional leadership focus. We have approved a new interim chief executive whose priority is to address the corporate governance failings, working alongside the Chief Fire Officer, who has an equally challenging role. I expect the senior management team to be fully recruited shortly.

With regard to people who have not been disciplined, I heard what Mr Beggs said, I heard what you said, and I trust that the board will hear what the House has to say. Reflective of all parties, there will be a general message that the slap-on-the-wrist approach is not enough and we expect discipline to be applied when people act in a way that is not in the general interest of the service that they work for.

Pam Brown (DUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement and his answers thus far. How long is the new chief executive expected to be in post, and does the Minister have confidence that he can deliver the change that the Minister requires?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The chief executive has been recruited for 12 to 18 months, which started in August. I am confident that he will provide a much needed focus on corporate governance and provide additional leadership as he takes the organisation forward. He brings with him a strong track record in these areas, and I trust that he will have the issues resolved over the next 12 to 18 months. If we are required to extend that period, we will look at that at the time, but I trust that that will not be necessary and we will be on top of the issues within that time.

Samuel Gardiner (UUP, Upper Bann)

I thank the Minister for his statement and concur with his opening remarks of appreciation for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. Will he detail whether the service now has a similar overtime policy for firefighters engaged in non-operational day-to-day duties as it does for operational incidents?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I will have to clarify that matter for the Member in writing.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I also pay tribute to the firefighters of the NIFRS. In the body of his statement, the Minister said that the time for investigation was over. Given the culture of irregularities, does the Minister think that there were any governance or operational issues in respect of the death of Leading Firefighter Joe McCloskey in 2003?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Member knows that I met the McCloskey family and have great sympathy for them. Obviously, Joe McCloskey was one of the brave firefighters who went to carry out a job and lost his life while doing so. There was considerable investigation of that incident, and there is considerable suspicion about where the truth lies. However, the evidence is not there to substantiate that, and therein lies the problem. Although I very much desire that the McCloskey family will get the full truth of what took place that night, conflicting points of view have been expressed, and, at this point, it has proved impossible to achieve that. I am not abdicating my responsibilities in any way, shape or form; that is just a factual assessment of where we stand, and I regret that that is the case.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement. A common theme among all the Members who have put questions to the Minister has been to pay tribute to the work of our firefighters. On that particular point — it has been touched on to some degree — given that the issues were of a governance nature at the very top of the organisation, what further work needs to be done within the Fire Service, with the help of your leadership and the Department, to ensure that the firefighters who protect us and respond daily do not become more demoralised and challenged in carrying out their functions?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Unfortunately, a lot of firefighters will look with disdain at what went on at headquarters. They have a job to do, and they will meet the challenges as those come forward. The acting chief fire officer, in particular, has a significant task in helping to win the respect of fire officers for the necessary work that goes on at headquarters. Firefighters will want to be assured that the shenanigans that some individuals got up to in the past are not the type of behaviour that is acceptable in the Fire Service, that it will not happen as we move forward and that people who wish to engage in actions and behaviours that are detrimental to the good work that is carried out on the ground will be dealt with.

Raymond McCartney (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for both his statement and his answers to date. I refer the Minister to the report as it relates to overtime and expenses claims. It appears from the introduction that the individuals involved were not questioned by the investigators. There is a list, but I will give just one example. On 2 September 2011, there was no afternoon session in Omagh, but staff claimed for a full day in overtime and subsistence. If the staff were not questioned about why that happened, how can we say that there was no actual or suspected fraud?

It comes as no surprise to me that the report concludes that the organisation's financial control over the Wholetime recruitment project has been inadequate. We asked DARD to take up the investigation because it has a specialist counterfraud team. It carried out a course of work for the Department. We also have BSO internal audit findings, which say that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that NIFRS managers did not fulfill their responsibilities to ensure the correct handling and use of public funds and that it may be appropriate for the NIFRS accounting officer to consider whether those failings merit the investigation of disciplinary procedures. That is the report in front of us. It suggests that disciplinary procedures and an investigation are merited.

I hear what Members say, and the board will have to hear it too. It cannot ignore what the House is saying.

George Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry)

First and foremost, I commend all the firefighters who do such a tremendous job for us all. Does the Minister expect all the recommendations to be implemented?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I thank the Member for the question. I fully expect that NIFRS management will take forward the recommendations in the reports. That will be closely monitored by my Department. The organisation is committed to doing so through an overarching change management programme that will address the cultural and governance improvements that are necessary. So, it may not be the case that every recommendation is fulfilled to the last jot and tittle, but I expect that the recommendations will largely be fulfilled and that the spirit of the recommendations will be fulfilled as well.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his statement and accept that this has been a difficult situation and there have been specific difficulties in the Fire Service. That is not to take away from front line firefighters and staff.

Another difficulty for the Fire Service was the removal of the photo montage from Enniskillen fire station, which was put up in memory of those murdered by the Enniskillen bomb. Has that been reinstated? If not, are there any plans to reinstate it in the near future?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I understand that discussions on the montage took place, led by the chairman of the board, and that a new montage was erected. That new montage includes the Fire Service crest, which was not in the previous montage, lists the names of those who lost their life on an appropriate memorial-type stone and has the crest of the British Legion on it. So, the replacement is considered to be largely acceptable. It may not be acceptable to everyone, but it reflects the magnitude of what happened that day. It reflects the fact that 11 innocent people lost their life that day, and it reflects the role of the Fire and Rescue Service and its attempts to save people's lives and deal with the mess, the devastation, the destruction, the pain and the misery caused by an unwarranted terrorist attack.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement and his answers so far. I listened to his remarks about the need for a radical overhaul and a cultural change and his statement that the time for investigations is over. However, given the article in today's edition of 'The Irish News', will he give assurances on the procedures that are in place to protect whistle-blowers and give us detail on what procedures are in place to ensure that investigations are processed? Despite the Minister's earlier comments, I appeal to him to have an independent and full review on these serious issues.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I am content to assure Members that investigations carried out by my Department into both sets of whistle-blowing allegations were conducted to a high standard. The investigations were led by professionally qualified auditors from my Department's internal audit branch. Where necessary, we utilised the services of professional accountants from the Department of Finance's directorate to investigate the allegations relating to financial irregularities.

I am conscious that it has taken considerable time for the investigations to be concluded. I make no apology for that, because, by necessity, they had to be thorough. I want the matters to be investigated in that thorough way, and I want to ensure that investigations are conducted properly. If that means that it took more time than expected, that is something that we just have to live with.

I am also aware of the amount of work that investigators put into considering the issues and commend them for their professionalism. I want to see these matters brought to a conclusion to allow the organisation to move forward, but I also assure whistle-blowers that I take whistle-blowing very seriously. Where people are not getting satisfaction from their managers on issues of corporate governance that are detrimental to the public being carried out by individuals, I encourage them to bring them to our attention. We can only deal with these matters if they come to our attention. It is therefore a matter of regret that, at one point, one of the whistle-blowers in this instance was suspended. It has been accepted that that was wrong, and, as a result of that recognition, an apology has been sent to the individual by the permanent secretary. I hope that an employee would not be suspended if that were to happen again. I hope that the Department and, indeed, the Fire Service will have learnt how to handle these circumstances better in future.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

It appears that, for at least a decade, there has been an endemic problem and culture in the management and governance of the Fire Service. Indeed, as long ago as 2003, one member of the Fire Authority, Mrs Craig, was sacked because of her persistent probing of procurement issues. That followed a report by the same Ken Knight who has now reported on this occasion. Can we have confidence that, on this occasion, matters will truly change on governance, including at and within board level, where, in the past, there were obviously failures right up to Fire Authority level and the brushing of matters under the carpet?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Member identifies that this is a very old problem. It has gone right back to the early part of 2000. Reports were carried out previously, and one has not seen actions flowing from those reports that would have made a demonstrable difference to the culture that existed in that organisation. I suppose that the test of this will be time. We have taken steps that, I believe, will be of help at this point. There are further steps that we wish to take to ensure that the organisation improves considerably, but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. I hope that, in 10 years' time, we are not talking about the management of the Fire Service still being a shambles. I hope that, in a relatively short time, people will be able to talk about the improvements that have been carried out and say that this organisation is one of the leading fire and rescue service organisations in the United Kingdom as a result of the steps that we are taking.

The sitting was suspended at 12.17 pm.

On resuming (Mr Deputy Speaker [Mr Beggs] in the Chair) —

Oral Answers to Questions

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

1. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether her Department provides assistance to help volunteers working with local sports clubs to acquire relevant skills. (AQO 2672/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for her question. Sport NI, which is an arm's-length body of my Department, is responsible for providing advice and assistance to volunteers in local sports clubs to acquire the relevant skills. Over the past three financial years, Sport NI has invested approximately £2·8 million of funding to assist volunteer development skills in the areas of employment, coaching, club development and child protection. Sport NI assistance is provided through a range of programmes such as the Clubmark NI programme, the Investing in Performance Sport programme and a coach and volunteer development and education programme. In addition, my Department, in conjunction with four other Departments, has supported the recruitment, development, training and management of volunteers delivering Special Olympics programmes across the North.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

Will the Minister, along with me, acknowledge the significant contribution that local sports clubs make in our community? Can she provide any information that will enable people from lower-income families, particularly in rural areas, to avail themselves of the programmes that she mentioned in her answer?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I support fully what the Member said. In the two big sporting bodies, the GAA and IFA, the work done by Ryan Feeney from the Ulster Council of the GAA and Michael Boyd from the IFA to promote volunteerism, outreach and education is second to none. I will take the Member's comments back, and if we can do anything else to promote those programmes, particularly to people who still do not know what opportunities there are, we all have a responsibility to do that. I am happy to forward that comment to our Department.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

The Minister mentioned child protection in her initial answer. What child protection measures are in place to ensure the safety of children and young people working with volunteers and others in sport? Can the Minister assure the House that those measures are robust?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for her question. An essential criterion from Sport NI, when giving funding and support to any sporting body or any group regardless of its size, is that it needs to see child protection procedures. Only by walking through the child protection procedures, can it assure everyone of their robustness. Child protection is absolutely imperative and non-negotiable, and the adherence to strict child protection guidelines is an essential criterion for the giving of any support.

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

What targets has the Minister's Department set to increase the number of volunteers supporting voluntary sports clubs?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The targets are in the Sport Matters strategy. For example, I have no targets for Sport NI's Clubmark NI programme for upskilling and recruitment, and I will get an update on targets for the Investing in Performance Sport programme, because I have two different figures here and I do not want to give the wrong one out. However, the coach and volunteer development and education programme has to offer at least 19 different workshop themes across each discipline. I am not too sure what the targets are for each workshop, but it is an important question that I will make sure the Member has the answer to.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

How could volunteers in Sandy Row Boxing Club get assistance so long as the Minister insists that that group will not be funded unless it re-affiliates to the group that has been discriminating against it?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

First of all, I insist that the Member withdraws his remark. I want that for the record. The Member is wrong in what he said.

Sandy Row has not been refused any funding, and, for the record, when I came into the Department, I asked to meet Sandy Row and was refused. I then invited Sandy Row Boxing Club, when I received the allegations, to meet in the Department along with my officials. Again, it refused. I asked Sport NI to meet Sandy Row Boxing Club, and the club refused to meet it. I asked Sport NI again to try to meet Sandy Row Boxing Club about the allegations, and, again, the club refused. I then met community representatives in the Sandy Row area to find out what influence they could use to talk to Sandy Row Boxing Club about the allegations, which I am treating very seriously, but they were told where to go.

I invited boxers from Sandy Row Boxing Club, along with other boxers from all over, to Stormont for a boxing reception, but they refused to attend. I invited them up again for an event associated with the Olympics, Paralympics and pre-games training, but they refused.

So I would like the Member, who seems to be making an issue of this on behalf of Sandy Row, to facilitate a meeting with me and my officials to work through the allegations of sectarianism, which no one in the House will tolerate or support. If the Member is serious about getting to the bottom of the issue, he will take that invitation seriously.

Organ Donation through Sport

John McCallister (UUP, South Down)

2. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how she is working with other Departments, agencies and sporting bodies to promote the Organ Donation through Sport campaign. (AQO 2673/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I have always believed that sport can do much more to help to promote worthy causes such as organ donation. It was for this reason that I asked my officials — in association with Sport NI, the Public Health Agency and the Health Department — to take forward an initiative to promote awareness of organ donation through sport. The aim of that initiative is to encourage more people to register for organ donation and to make their wishes known to their families. I, along with officials from the Health Department, Sport NI and the Public Health Agency, attended the recent launch of the initiative at the Antrim GAA county football and hurling finals in Casement Park.

John McCallister (UUP, South Down)

I am grateful to the Minister for her reply. Does she agree that there is much that sport can contribute to the health and well-being — physical and mental — of our population and that there is an onus and pressure on her and the Department to do as much to deliver that as they possibly can?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I absolutely agree with the Member. In fairness to the Minister of Health, we are developing several programmes to do just that, and it is a pleasure to work with someone who is receptive. I am also working with other Ministers — the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Minister of Education and the Minister for Social Development — on the whole area of how we link sport with better physical and mental health and well-being.

This is important. I think back to the campaign on the use of seat belts. Sporting organisations, particularly but not exclusively in this instance, were involved. Nuala Vallely, an organ donor who had made her wishes known to her family, suffered an untimely death in March of this year. The GAA — along with her family, the Ulster council and the Antrim board — have tried to encourage as many people as possible to become organ donors. It was a result of that that I registered as an organ donor. It is important that we do all that we can. It would be remiss of me not to use this opportunity to send all our best wishes to Joe Brolly, Shane Finnegan and their families.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a freagraí go dtí seo. I wish to commend the Minister on promoting and launching the recent organ donation event at Casement Park. I was there, and it was a very good event. The Minister has just commented on Shane Finnegan and Joe Brolly. The regrettable news is that that organ donation has run into trouble and been unsuccessful. Would the Minister like to comment on Joe Brolly's decision and very generous gesture of donating an organ?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as ucht a ceiste. Yes, as I said, I would like to commend and pay tribute to Joe Brolly. Like many others who donate organs, he offered the greatest gift, that of life. I encourage everyone, where possible, but particularly through the use of sporting bodies and organisations, to look at how we can get more people on to registers, not just for organ donation but for blood transfusion.

It is fitting that the event in Casement Park was so successful. Nuala Vallely's family and other families are very grateful to the Assembly for lifting up such an important issue. I am happy, as Minister for sport, to do everything that I can to help to promote that cause.

Alban Maginness (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

I thank the Minister for her answers. I also acknowledge the great sacrifice that Joe Brolly made in relation to Mr Finnegan. Sadly, it did not work out. Are there any other ways in which the terribly important issue of organ donation can be advanced through aspects of sport?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his sentiments, and I am sure every Member feels exactly the same way. The launch at Casement Park was the start of an initiative. The Member is correct: we need to use every opportunity and explore every avenue that we have at our disposal in promoting this, because it is very much a gift of life.

For the record, over half a million people have registered for organ donation. That has increased as a result of the case of Nuala Vallely, and I am sure it is increasing as a result of the situation with Shane Finnegan and Joe Brolly. Unfortunately, around 300 people are waiting for transplants. If we can do anything through sport, the arts or any other avenue that we have at our disposal, we should do it. We need to try to reduce as much as possible the figure of 300 people who are waiting for transplants in the North. I commit to do what I can through sport, or any other means for that matter, to achieve that.

Ethnic Minorities: Cultural Identity

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

3. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline any action she is taking to promote and protect the cultural identities of ethnic minorities. (AQO 2674/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

My Department continues to meet its statutory obligations under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure's (DCAL) arm's-length bodies provide a range of programmes supporting and promoting the cultural identities of ethnic minorities. The Arts Council, for example, launched its intercultural arts strategy on 13 June. It recognises the changing face of society in the North and its increasing cultural diversity. It flags up the need to promote cultural pluralism, develop good relations and tackle racism within and between communities and their cultures.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

I thank the Minister for her response. Can the Minister assure us that minority ethnic languages, as well as sign language, will not be overlooked while the Department concentrates on Irish and Ulster Scots? Does the Minister agree that a comprehensive languages Bill would be the best means of ensuring that that does not occur?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member should know by this stage, but I will make him aware again, that I have a statutory obligation to look after the Irish language, Ulster-Scots culture and heritage, and sign language. I have no statutory obligation to look at other minority ethnic languages. The Member's proposition about a single language Bill has been raised before, but I can deal with, promote and secure only the languages for which I have a statutory responsibility.

Michael McGimpsey (UUP, Belfast South)

In light of evidence given recently to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure, as reported in Hansard, can the Minister confirm that the new Irish language strategy can be delivered without legislation and that the proposed Irish language Act has now been abandoned?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

No, the Irish language Act has not been abandoned by me. I am glad that the Member is in the Chamber for this question, and I will repeat this for his benefit: I will to do everything I can to bring forward an Irish language Act, and I look forward to the Member's support in that. The strategies under the Programme for Government may need a legislative approach, but we will not know until that consultation finishes. At this stage, the consultations on both are still open, and I encourage every Member to use their influence to help people feed into those consultations.

Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. Does the Minister know offhand how much funding her Department has awarded directly or indirectly via arm's-length bodies to events or festivals that promote cultural diversity?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The intercultural programme that I spoke of has received over £300,000 in lottery funding. I will forward the Member details on what funding it has received until now and what funding there might be in future.

Minority Sports

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

4. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what financial assistance is available from Sport NI for competitive minority sports such as weightlifting. (AQO 2675/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Neither myself, my Department nor Sport NI recognises the term "minority sports". However, in respect of weightlifting, Sport NI, which is responsible for the distribution of funding for sport, is currently in discussion with the governing body of the sport, the Northern Ireland Weightlifting Association, over possible financial assistance from Sport NI in the future. The purpose of those discussions is to help weightlifting meet all the Sport NI criteria necessary to enable it to receive funding in the future. To that end, Sport NI, in conjunction with the Weightlifting Association, is carrying out a recognition review.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she join me in the House in sending congratulations to Mr Sammy Graham from my constituency — in fact, from Ballymoney — who recently won his eighth world title championship in weightlifting? He recently took part in a 55 age bracket, masters 3, 100kg category competition, whatever all that means. It means that he was very successful. Will the Minister ensure that those competitors from Northern Ireland engaged in weightlifting and other sports will be financially assisted through Sport NI in their participation in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. I, too, do not know what that means, but I know enough to know that I am impressed. You are claiming Sammy because not only is he in your constituency, he is from Ballymoney. Congratulations to him. Anyone competing at world-stage level is no mean feat. I also congratulate Peter McCallan from Carrickmore, recent winner of the strongest man of Ulster.

Barry McElduff (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

[Interruption.]

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

It was not him, anyway. [Laughter.]

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

We will say nothing about that.

What is important is that Sport NI, in conjunction with the Weightlifting Association, helps weightlifting achieve what it needs to get the recognition. It helps people like Sammy, and others, who may want to compete in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Weightlifting has become increasingly popular and deserves support. But the Member will agree that we need to make sure that it meets all the criteria as a governing body to get that support for the long term.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. For those other sporting bodies that may be considering approaching the Department for the first time, what specifically is involved in a recognition review?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

A recognition review looks at the constitution of the group, its governance arrangements and — what the Chair of the Committee raised in the first question — its child protection procedures, as well as looking at risk and financial management. It is about making sure that those policies are not only in place but are active. Any governing body would be absolutely appreciative of the support from Sport NI to meet that achievement. For any body or group approaching my Department to get recognition, those are at least some of the essential criteria involved.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

Following on from the previous question, do Sport NI or the Minister's Department award financial assistance grants to any bodies that are not members of national bodies?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

To my knowledge, no; they need to have an affiliation. There needs to be a recognition review for the body to go through the processes I outlined. However, I am not 100% sure, so I will find out and write to the Member.

DCAL: EU Funding

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

5. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline any European funding opportunities that may be available to help in achieving her Department's objectives. (AQO 2676/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

My Department and its arm's-length bodies continue to be successful in securing EU funding opportunities. As an example of that, the Armagh Observatory has been awarded funding from the highly competitive FP7 stream for two innovative projects.

First, the Europlanet project is a new, low-cost meteor detector used by schools and amateur astronomers. Secondly, the Universe Awareness (UNAWE) programme brings awareness to children and young people, and includes specific training for primary-school teachers in STEM subjects and astronomy. The Arts Council is also in receipt of European funding to support a range of arts and culture projects, with a number of applications still in progress. Sport NI has also been successful in securing competitive European funds and is working towards securing further European funds to help build on that success.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

I thank the Minister for her comprehensive answer. In relation to garnering additional support from Europe, can the Minister comment on the forthcoming Irish presidency of the European Council?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I am aware of the forthcoming Irish presidency, which runs from January 2013 to June 2013. The presidency affords an important opportunity to promote policy ideas and agendas of culture, sport and leisure. As well as that, we all have a very significant year next year, with the European City of Culture and the World Police and Fire Games, and we need to build on the success of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Arts Council and the Arts Council of Ireland are currently collaborating on the scope of arts events, both performance and visual. I believe that we need to use every opportunity to try to maximise additional European funds for here.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a cuid freagraí. Ba mhaith liom a fhiafraí den Aire cad é an cuidiú atá ar fáil óna Roinn do na grúpaí sin ar mhaith leo cur isteach ar mhaoiniú do spórt, cultúr agus ealaíona. What assistance is her Department or its arm's-length bodies providing to sporting, cultural and arts groups that wish to apply for European funding?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as ucht a cheiste. That is a very important question. This year, as part of the Barroso task force working group, DCAL, along with the junior Ministers from OFMDFM, went to Europe to try to find out how we can best maximise additional opportunities. When those occasions arise, it is important that each Department sends officials with a view to those officials coming back and passing that experience and potential on directly to their Department or its arm's-length bodies. It is about maximising opportunities.

Local government, and Belfast City Council in particular, has been very successful in securing European funds for arts and culture. I am keen to maximise opportunities and to learn not only from Europe but from Belfast City Council and other local authorities.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

Will the Minister detail her Department's objectives to address the under-provision of sports fields in Northern Ireland?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. There is not enough money to deal with the demand across the culture, arts and leisure family, particularly in relation to sports. There are emerging sports that definitely need support. For example, I recently visited Bann Rowing Club in Coleraine, and it is quite obvious that it needs additional support. I also visited the Tyrone centre of excellence project at Garvaghy, and it is quite obvious that DCAL needs to give it additional support.

Additional support is needed in a whole host of other sports, and I need to look at future monitoring rounds and budget bids to try to meet those needs. Those sports bodies — they are just a few examples; it is not exclusively them — pass on so much to our children and young people. They keep them well, they keep them healthy, they keep them safe, and, in the case of some, they keep them alive. We need to do more to support further bids for those sorts of activities.

David McNarry (UKIP, Strangford)

I was interested to hear the Minister's reply to some of the questions in this section. What plans does she have to use our armed forces to assist in major events, such as we have recently seen in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, when their importance was a great addition to the success of those events?

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I think that relates to a previous question. The question we are on is about European funding. If the Minister wishes to answer briefly, I am happy to let her. If not, we will move on.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Just for the record, I do not have any armed forces, but I am happy to write to the Member about how we can secure additional support.

I am assume that the Member fully supports the World Police and Fire Games 2013. I welcome any additional advice that he thinks my Department or, indeed, the services can avail themselves of.

DCAL: Capital and Revenue Funding

Daithí McKay (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

6. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how she intends to develop and target new capital and revenue funding opportunities. (AQO 2677/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I am keen to ensure that the funding that DCAL delivers will continue to make an important contribution to the work of the Executive and make a positive difference to people's lives, be that in economic growth, education, health, well-being, suicide prevention, the environment or social inclusion.

I have asked my officials to ensure that new funding opportunities focus on the benefits that the culture, arts and leisure sectors can deliver, particularly in tackling poverty and addressing social inclusion, by providing interventions in ways that target socio-economic outcomes at sectors of the North that will be assessed on the basis of objective need. For example, my Department, through the stadiums development team, has been developing social clauses for inclusion in procurement and contractual documentation as the various stadia procurements have developed and progressed. Those clauses are aimed at maximising returns from the £110 million public investment in the stadia programme.

Daithí McKay (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answer and for her focus on social clauses, which we have looked at in the Finance and Personnel Committee. If additional funding became available to her Department, what would her main priorities be for existing and emerging needs?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I will just stick to the examples that I used before, because I am conscious that, if I mention anything else, I will be met by a stream of Members outside asking about their constituency. I use the examples of Bann Rowing Club, the Tyrone centre of excellence at Garvaghy and the boxing strategy, because they are recent ones that were not in the CSR round. There are emerging needs that we need to support, and that is quite obvious from the work that they deliver on the ground. It is important that we deliver where need is, particularly in areas that have been ignored for whatever reason in the past. It is incumbent on me to try to redress that imbalance.

William Humphrey (DUP, Belfast North)

I declare an interest as a member of Woodvale Cricket Club. Will the Minister provide information to the House, now or in writing, on her commitments to the development of cricket and capital investment in that sport, which has become so popular across Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland in the past number of years, in order to help develop it at all levels?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member did not declare whether he played cricket; we all wait to see whether he does. The question of whether he plays well or badly is obviously the supplementary question.

The Member is right to raise the issue. There has been £3 million invested in cricket. We need to look at small capital investments, particularly in some cricket clubs. I have met representatives of those clubs. Things like, "Good fences make good neighbours": it is about looking at some small capital investment in areas like that. Those are the things that were not in previous monitoring rounds. If allowed to continue, small problems become bigger not only in relationships with neighbours but for people's physical and mental health and well-being and, indeed, for social and economic benefits. So, I am keen to advance that. I will furnish the Member with the other plans that we have in writing.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

I wonder whether the Minister would consider revisiting the need to provide for the Olympic legacy capital projects shelved by her predecessor.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

It is a bit late; it is almost as if the boat has passed on that one. The legacy projects will be met in terms of the 50-metre swimming pool, but the velodrome — if I am correct in assuming that that is what the Member is referring to — was not in the last CSR and is not in this CSR. Unless I get a huge demand for that, with evidence, I do not think that it will be in the next CSR either.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I advise Members that questions 1, 4, 9 and 12 have been withdrawn, and questions 1, 4 and 9 require a written answer.

DE: Savings

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

2. asked the Minister of Education what savings his Department has made this year which have been or will be reported to the Department of Finance and Personnel. (AQO 2688/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

In setting the Budget allocations across the Budget 2008-2011 period, each Department was required by the Executive to deliver cumulative efficiency savings of 3% a year over the period 2008-09 to 2010-11. However, Budget 2011-15 was conducted on a completely different basis, as the Executive did not define or agree savings targets for each Department across the four-year period. Rather, it was left to each Minister to deliver their priorities from the resources allocated to them. In view of that, I consider it to be my responsibility as Education Minister to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that my Department remains within budget. In that context, I agreed and published a clear and transparent savings delivery plan that sets out the level of savings to be delivered by my Department between 2011-12 and 2014-15. The target for 2012-13 is £147 million.

There was no agreement by the Executive to impose savings targets on Departments. In view of that, I have not participated in any of the savings delivery plan monitoring exercises commissioned by DFP nor do I intend to do so. I recently wrote to the Finance Minister setting out my position.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Does that amount to the Education Minister declaring UDI in respect of the Department of Education? Surely, as a member of the Executive, he owes a duty to the oversight Department of Finance and Personnel to co-operate collectively in regard to savings and spending, rather than seeking to operate as an island unto himself.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I am not an island upon myself, but I do operate within the agreements, legislation, protocols and policies that adhere to my Department, and I am in full compliance with those. My Department faces many challenges. We have a significant work programme in play. My officials are extremely busy delivering services to the public. A number of reviews are ongoing, which I wish to see ended. I do not believe that it is best use of my officials' time to review figures that they and I review monthly.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, in that sense. The Member may choose to look at my savings delivery plan, which is on the Department website — I am more than happy to send him one — or at the budgets on which we came in last year at under 1% on revenue and capital. We are in line with our savings delivery plan. I will continue to deliver on that and to engage with parties and Executive members on how we minimise the impact of the savings delivery plan on front line services.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

On the other hand, has the Minister made any bids in the October monitoring round? If so, what were they and what are the consequences for individual schools if they are not met?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I made bids in the October monitoring round. I am cautious and conscious that I may not be in a position to mention them. I believe that they have been forwarded to the Education Committee, so, if they are public, they are public, but I do not have them in front of me. They are significant bids in their own right, in that I want to make a contribution towards the Arvalee project and to cover a number of maintenance programmes in schools. I would like to see them met, but I await the outcome of the October monitoring round.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. What are the benefits to the Minister's Department or, more specifically, for the schools estate of not participating in future monitoring exercises on the savings delivery plan?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta. The question should really be what will be the benefits to schools if I do participate in the monitoring of the savings delivery plan, and there are none. As I said to Mr Allister, I am in compliance with all Executive protocols and policies in regard to this matter. I am in full compliance with all legislation governing my role as Minister. It is my duty as Minister to ensure that my Department comes in on budget and the savings delivery plan is delivered. We have a significant work programme in the Department of Education. My officials are working hard at delivering that programme, and I would much rather that they were focused on delivering services rather than on delivering paperwork.

Donacloney Primary School

Sydney Anderson (DUP, Upper Bann)

3. asked the Minister of Education for an indication of when he will make a decision in relation to the proposed development of Donacloney Primary School from eight classes to nine classes. (AQO 2689/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Any significant change to education provision in an area, such as an increase in the size of a school, requires the publication of a statutory development proposal. In the case of Donacloney Primary School, the Southern Education and Library Board is the statutory authority with responsibility for publishing the development proposal. Before doing so, the board is required to consult schools that might be affected by the proposal. The SELB has confirmed that the consultation on Donacloney Primary School started during the week beginning Monday 17 September and is scheduled to last for three weeks. Following that, a proposal will be presented for final board approval. Subject to final board approval being granted, the SELB plans to publish a development proposal requesting an increase in enrolment numbers at Donacloney Primary School. A statutory two-month period will then ensue during which anyone who wishes to express an opinion may do so directly to the Department of Education. All comments received will be taken into consideration when I make a decision on the proposal.

Sydney Anderson (DUP, Upper Bann)

I thank the Minister for his answer. I urge him to move as quickly as possible to allow the school and the parents to plan ahead at Donacloney. Does he agree that it is vital to ensure that class sizes are reduced in primary schools, as it is almost impossible for teachers to implement the activity-based revised curriculum, especially at Foundation Stage, P1 and P2, when class sizes are over 24?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

We aim constantly to improve the teaching environment for teachers and pupils. However, I have to say that the quality of the teacher in the classroom is much more important than the number of pupils in the class. Certainly, we do not want that number to be excessive.

The Member will be aware of the area planning process in which I am currently involved. Part of that is to ensure that there is a sustainable schools estate built to meet the needs of the communities and pupils we serve. Central to that are the needs of pupils, including class sizes, the infrastructure of their schools, availability of resources et cetera.

If a development proposal for Donacloney Primary School comes before me, I will endeavour to reach a decision on it as quickly as possible, ensuring that I take into account all the representations made to me.

Samuel Gardiner (UUP, Upper Bann)

The Minister has partly answered my question. I encourage him to come to a quick decision on Donacloney Primary School. The school definitely needs additional class space. If necessary —

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

May we have a question?

Samuel Gardiner (UUP, Upper Bann)

Will he review the situation and get it through as quickly as possible?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I will, bearing in mind that, when you act in haste, you regret at leisure. I will ensure that, when I can make a quick decision, I do so. That is only fair on schools in general when development proposals come before me . Some development proposals are very complex and bring into play factors that deserve further interpretation and interrogation. However, I assure the Member that I will take on board all the consultation responses and come to a decision as quickly as possible.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Will the Minister outline what consultation the Department facilitates prior to setting a school's admission number?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomalta. Each year, the Department considers what admissions and enrolment numbers should be set for a school. That process takes into account a number of factors, including the school's long-term enrolment number and its available accommodation. The Department consults the school, the education and library board and, where appropriate, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools before setting the numbers. That is the most appropriate juncture for a school to raise questions and concerns about its numbers. The Department carries out the consultation on numbers during the spring and summer months of the year preceding the year for which they will apply.

Primary Schools: Bangor

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

5. asked the Minister of Education what steps his Department intends to take to ease the pressure on the demand for primary school places in eastern and central Bangor. (AQO 2691/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

In September 2012, a total of 854 year 1 places were available in primary schools in the Bangor area for the 2012-13 academic year. The South Eastern Education and Library Board has confirmed that, currently, 87 year 1 primary school places are still available. There is no question of there not being enough places, and there are no plans to increase capacity in the area.

Of course, I am aware that, despite the fact that there were more than enough places in the Bangor area for 2012-13, some parents were still disappointed at the outcome of their application. Although an open enrolment policy enables parents to express preferences for the school that they wish their children to attend, admissions to individual schools are necessarily limited by the physical capacity of the accommodation available. When schools are oversubscribed, they apply published admissions criteria to determine which applicants they can admit. No child can be guaranteed a place at any school, and it is not uncommon for children to be admitted to schools other than their first preference. The area planning process will reshape the structure and pattern of education provision and will provide the basis on which popular oversubscribed schools will be allowed to grow further.

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his response, although I am somewhat disappointed by it. Every primary school in eastern and central Bangor has been oversubscribed for the past couple of years. Although the Minister points to the long-term solution of area planning, is he prepared to see some degree of flexibility in the next couple of years in enrolments to try to cope with the fact that, for example, at one school in Towerview, pupils who go to the nursery school cannot even get a place in primary 1 in that school?

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Can we have a question?

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

I have just asked a question.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Bangor is a fine and lovely place, but it is not a major metropolis. We are not talking about excessive travel distances, even for primary-school children. The Member has been in correspondence with me about the matter. I will visit Bangor and Holywood in the near future, and no doubt the matter will be raised with me again by schools in the area. I will keep it under review. In the previous answer, I discussed when schools should apply for enrolment number increases. I encourage schools to continue to do that. In the near future, we will publish the primary school area planning process, which will be another opportunity for the schools to make comments and proposals on the way forward. At the moment, I am not minded to change provision in the area, but I will keep it under review.

Steven Agnew (Green, North Down)

I appreciate that there have to be enrolment numbers and that we have to consider the impact on other schools in the area, but, on the point of Towerview, when it comes down to a matter of two or three children who attend a nursery school going to a primary school, surely there can be some degree of flexibility and common sense.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Flexibility and common sense are great things, and we should all possess them. However, when you are dealing with entrance to schools, flexibility and common sense for one school means that another school loses out. That school will not see it as flexibility and common sense; it will see its enrolment numbers falling again, and that may continue year after year. Admission to a nursery school is not and should not be a guarantee of admission to the adjoining primary school. Preschool education is an integral part of our education system, but placement at a nursery school is not a guarantee of placement at the adjoining primary school, if there is one. There are no easy answers. Once the Department makes an adjustment at school A, it has an effect on school B and school C. It has a ripple effect. Sometimes, it has the unintended consequence of putting a school's future sustainability in jeopardy.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

How wedded to the Bain numbers is the Department when reviewing the area planning of primary schools?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Bain has been superseded by the sustainable schools policy, which is now in place. My area planning process is in line with the sustainable schools policy, which largely draws from Bain. However, it is not a numbers game. Circumstances that perhaps prevail in an area of Belfast will not prevail in an area of Fermanagh, Tyrone or Derry, so you have to take into account the local circumstances that pertain to a school. There are several criteria on which a school will be judged, all of which carry equal weight and importance. I am certainly not involved in a numbers game.

Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Is the Minister aware that there is much pressure on primary school and nursery places in south Belfast? Could he tell us whether he has any plans to ease some of that pressure?

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I remind the Member that the question was very specifically about the Bangor area. We will move on.

Special Educational Needs: Classroom Assistants

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

6. asked the Minister of Education how he envisages the role of classroom assistants developing in the context of the special educational needs and inclusion review being undertaken by his Department. (AQO 2692/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The proposals set out following the review of special educational needs and inclusion relate to changes to the existing SEN framework to provide a less bureaucratic and more streamlined process to meet the needs of children. The review has not made specific recommendations about the role of classroom assistants in how they support children with SEN. It will be a matter for the education and library boards and, in time, the Education and Skills Authority to ensure that they provide equitable SEN services that are determined and provided through commonly applied criteria.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

No doubt the Minister will be aware of the recent research carried out by the children and youth programme in the University of Ulster's UNESCO Centre. That showed that more emphasis should be placed on the specific role and functions of classroom assistants to support the effective inclusion of pupils with SEN. In light of that, will the Minister ensure that, via the education and library boards and, subject to the legislation being passed, ESA, specific steps are taken to maximise the training potential of classroom assistants as informed and valued members of staff?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I have no difficulty with that whatsoever. Our classroom assistants play a valuable role in the education of our young people, and the SEN proposals do not neuter them in any way. As I have done thus far, I will continue to engage with the Committee on the SEN proposals — I think that that has worked well for the Committee and the Department. The policy memorandum has received Executive approval. When we come to make more detailed proposals, which will include the use of classroom assistants and how best we use them to facilitate the education of our young people, I will come back to the Committee and discuss those.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

The Minister knows of my concern that a number of children are not being assessed. Will he put extra resources into the education and library boards, so that more children can be assessed for special needs?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The Member had a perfect opportunity yesterday to put more resources into the education of our young people by approving the ESA legislation. Instead, he decided to speak about everything other than SEN provision, the educational needs of our young people and the educational needs of our most socially deprived areas and went into a speech about his view of my party. That has nothing to do with SEN.

I can assure the Member that, through the SEN review, I will ensure that resources are targeted on our young people with special needs. As part of my savings delivery plan, I have protected special educational needs from further savings cuts. If more finances become available, I will endeavour to direct more resources towards SEN.

The Member should also be aware that one of the main driving forces behind ESA is to ensure that there is equality of delivery of services across the North, rather than what we have at the moment, where there can be major differences between the services that are received in different board areas. I hope that he reflects on that before making any further contributions to the debate on ESA.

Alban Maginness (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

I concur with the Minister on the value that classroom assistants bring to education. In that context, is there proper management and training for classroom assistants in dealing with challenging behaviours by pupils in schools?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The training and skills of our workforce are increasing all the time, and programmes have been delivered to classroom assistants and others. However, we will keep that under review. Pilot projects are under way in early years etc on how we better use SEN in early years and allow classroom assistants to work better in those sectors.

There is a duty on us to ensure that we facilitate training in our workforce and allow our workforce to progress. In general, the standard among our classroom assistants is excellent, but, of course, where training is required, we should be in a position to deliver that training.

Universities: English Baccalaureate

David McClarty (Independent, East Londonderry)

7. asked the Minister of Education how he plans to work with the Minister for Employment and Learning to ensure that students in Northern Ireland are not disadvantaged when applying to universities in the rest of the UK, following the introduction of the English baccalaureate. (AQO 2693/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I am in regular contact with my counterpart in the Department for Employment and Learning on a wide range of education issues. He has already stated that he shares my concerns over Michael Gove’s proposed changes, as many students sit GCSE examinations in further education colleges here.

In my statement to the Assembly on 1 October, I stated that, following the review of qualifications, if it is decided to create new qualifications, employers and universities will be involved in the discussions. I will ensure that universities on these islands and employers will recognise those qualifications, and I can assure you that standards will be maintained and our learners will not be disadvantaged by any changes that occur in England or Wales. I will continue to work with my counterparts locally and with those in England, Wales, Scotland and the South of Ireland to ensure that our learners are not disadvantaged by qualifications policies in any of the local jurisdictions.

David McClarty (Independent, East Londonderry)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he give me his assessment of the current system in Northern Ireland, which uses GCSEs, as opposed to the proposed baccalaureate system in mainland UK?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

It is difficult to assess our GCSEs against the proposed changes that Michael Gove is introducing because full details have not yet been published. However, I can give the Member my assessment of our current examination system. I believe it to be robust and to be a fair challenge to the individual learner's abilities and skill sets. However, the changes being made in England present us with an opportunity to review that. I have set up a review under CCEA, and I will await the outcome of its report before proposing changes, if any, to our current examination system. I am satisfied that we have a robust examination system. I have said publicly that comments elsewhere may have damaged the brand, and I certainly do not want any of our young people leaving education or going on to further education believing that the examination they have taken is not up to standard. Anyone who has sat GCSEs or is sitting GCSEs should be proud of their achievement.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for something of an assurance on the challenging issue of ensuring that our pupils are not put at a disadvantage through changes in any other part of the United Kingdom. I want to widen the issue in relation to a concern back at home. There is a major concern around area plans because of the lack of co-operation and plans that include a working relationship between the post-primary sector and further and higher education colleges. What continuing work has he done with the Minister to ensure that the ultimate goal of improved educational outcomes for our young people is not disadvantaged?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I have touched on this matter with my counterpart. I have also met senior personnel from the further and higher education colleges who assure me that they are keen to be involved in area planning, that it is of benefit to them and that they want to be involved in the entitlement framework and the delivery of GCSEs and A levels, where appropriate. They want to be involved in the delivery of a broader skill set to our young people. Some of our further and higher education estate is excellent. The facilities available are world-class, and I want a joined-up approach between our post-primary schools and the further and higher education colleges in the locality. They want it to work, and I want it to work. When reviewing area plans following the consultation, I will be conscious of whether the role of further and higher education colleges in an area has been taken into account for future planning purposes.

Basil McCrea (UUP, Lagan Valley)

The Minister is reviewing GCSEs, but what discussions has he had with his counterpart, Michael Gove? Has he learned any lessons from that?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Have you not heard? Michael Gove does not want to talk to me. I have learned the lesson that, despite repeated requests to Mr Gove for a meeting, I will always get a refusal. However, I have agreed to a meeting with one of his junior Ministers, who is responsible for examinations. We are waiting for the date to be finalised. I had hoped to hold a joint meeting with my Welsh counterpart, Leighton Andrews. It may not prove possible, but we hope to do that. I will continue to correspond with Michael Gove, and I will meet his officials, despite the fact that I believe I should meet him face to face. However, I think that the outcome is more important.

Basil McCrea (UUP, Lagan Valley)

I will put in a word for you.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Right. That is good — [Interruption.]

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Order.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I never thought of using local contacts to set up that arrangement. I will have to keep that in mind for future reference. Local contacts with the Tories would be useful on this occasion.

Communications will continue among Ministers across the islands to ensure that our qualifications system is recognisable and robust.

Pat Ramsey (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

Minister, in your discussions with Dr Stephen Farry and possibly Ruairí Quinn, what progress has been made with the Central Applications Office (CAO) to ensure that students from Northern Ireland are not disadvantaged if they go to universities in the South?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I think I speak for all three Ministers when I say that it is a frustrating process. It is not political intervention that is required; universities in the South of Ireland need to take this matter more seriously and be more generous when they examine it. Universities in the South are an independent body. It is their representative organisation that has yet to make a definitive decision in regard to recognising a number of our qualifications. I accept that Minister Quinn has made representations on our behalf. I accept that Minister Farry has made his voice heard on the issue, and I have made mine heard on it. However, progress is frustratingly slow, and it is now time for the universities to act, as I often say here, on behalf of the students rather than the institutions.

Magherafelt Learning Partnership

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

8. asked the Minister of Education whether he has ever visited any of the post-primary schools in Magherafelt to observe the Magherafelt learning partnership in action. (AQO 2694/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Although I have not specifically been invited by the Magherafelt learning community to see their partnership working in action, I have visited a number of area learning communities. I have seen for myself the valuable work that they do in the shared delivery of education, the sharing of good practice and expertise, the identification of gaps or duplication in provision and, importantly, how those issues can be addressed. I am keen to ensure that a more strategic role for area learning communities, in the context of area-based planning, is developed, and I have set aside funding of £0.5m in each of the next three years to help them in that objective.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

The six schools in Magherafelt include the Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt High School, Kilronan Special School, St Mary's Grammar School and St Pius X College. I think that I have mentioned all six, have I? All those schools have led by example and have been highlighted by many as delivering good practice. Can the Minister provide any assurance that he will not use the post-primary area plan to further entrench the various education sectors in Magherafelt?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Yes, I can guarantee that: I do not want to see an entrenchment of any sector that leads to people living in a silo mentality and not co-operating or working with their educational partners around them. The ethos of area planning is for greater sharing. We often talk about sharing in education across the communities here, but we have to encourage the sharing of education across sectors, often within the one community. There is no doubt about it: we have shining examples of area learning communities. I have told the shared education advisory group that I set up to talk to a number of the area learning communities, because they are, in practice, involved in sharing education, and there are things to learn from them. I want to continue to work with area learning communities. I have set funding aside for them, and I think that they are a good way forward for education.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

The Minister mentioned the good work of the Magherafelt learning partnership. In light of that great work, will he assure me and the schools involved that he will not use area planning to have a negative impact on those schools, which are working together? Will he ensure that they remain open?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The area planning process is out for public consultation. I do not see it as a negative exercise; I see it as a positive exercise in which we have the boards and CCMS coming together in conjunction and consultation with the other sectors to discuss the way forward for the sharing of resources, facilities and schools in going ahead with education. I await the outcome of the area planning consultation. I will study the proposals closely, and I will only sign off proposals that are to the educational benefit of young people in the area.

Megan Fearon (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. What resources is the Minister making available to ensure that area learning communities can continue to function effectively?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

In my first year in office, I visited a number of area learning communities, listened to their stories and observed their work. I was very impressed. I set aside £0·5 million — £1·5 million over the next three years — to facilitate the work of area learning communities. Part of that is to focus on raising educational standards in the area. My Department is drawing up a programme for area learning communities to bid for and receive that funding. So, I am committed to the future work of area learning communities.

Executive Committee Business

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

I beg to move

That the Air Passenger Duty (Setting of Rate) Bill (NIA 15/11-15) proceed under the accelerated passage procedure.

I welcome the opportunity to address the Assembly on the motion, which will enable speedy progression towards the elimination of air passenger duty (APD) on direct long-haul flights departing Northern Ireland airports.

As far as Bills go, this is relatively straightforward, and the policy context has been the subject of much debate and has been widely consulted on. As well as the Government's wider consultation on air passenger duty, the Executive's commitment to eliminate air passenger duty on direct haul flights has been consulted on as part of our wider consultation on the draft Programme for Government and economic strategy. That is why I do not plan to do a separate consultation on this Bill.

I appeared before the Finance and Personnel Committee on 3 October to explain to members — as I am required to do under Standing Order 42(3) — why it is necessary for this particular Bill to proceed by accelerated passage and the consequences should it not be granted. I had a productive session with the Committee. I would like to thank the Committee members for recognising the need to expedite the process for the Bill and also for their support in seeking Assembly approval for accelerated passage.

The use of accelerated passage is not something that I take lightly. I believe that the best way to take forward legislation is to have a full Committee procedure in which legislation can be scrutinised and any outstanding issues resolved to the satisfaction of the Committee. That is undoubtedly the way that legislation should be brought forward. However, given the commitment in the Programme for Government to eliminate air passenger duty on direct long-haul flights from Northern Ireland, the Government's action on the Belfast to Newark flight and the commitment given to Continental that the Executive would act quickly to reduce the duty on those flights to zero, the measures contained in the draft Bill need to be in place as soon as possible.

I will now take the opportunity to explain to the Assembly — as required under Standing Order 42(4) — why I am seeking accelerated passage, the consequences of it not being granted and how I will minimise future use of that mechanism.

As many Members will be aware, the core provisions in the Bill arise from a request from the First Minister and deputy First Minister on behalf of the Executive to the Prime Minister that urgent action be taken to ensure that the existing direct flight from Belfast International to New York would continue. In response, the Government announced that APD for direct long-haul flights from Northern Ireland would be reduced to the short-haul rate from 1 November 2011 and that the process of devolving powers to set those rates to the Assembly in line with the EU Azores criteria would commence. The legislative changes required in Westminster to enable that were made in the Finance Act 2012, which received Royal Assent in July. This Assembly Bill represents the next stage in the process. It is therefore vital that it is introduced as soon as possible.

In terms of timing, we are working towards Assembly passage of our Bill to eliminate APD on direct haul flights on 6 November, with Royal Assent as soon as possible after that. That usually takes up to a month. HMRC has indicated that there are no provisions for making the appointed day order retrospective, so a new zero rate could only be affected after the process has been completed. It is our aim to have an effective date of 1 January 2013. That is clearly challenging, but I believe that it is possible.

I wrote to the Speaker on 25 September confirming my view that the APD Bill is within the legislative competence of the Assembly. I am satisfied, as are the Government, that the arrangements to devolve direct long-haul APD rates satisfy the EU Azores criteria. However, having the provision effective from January 2013 can no longer be achieved by normal passage of the Bill. To my mind, it would be wholly unacceptable if the key measures in the Bill were not operational until a much later date, which would be the case if we pursued the normal Bill process in the Assembly. It would also be a bad reflection on the functioning of both the Executive and the Assembly. I am conscious that accelerated passage should not be used lightly or unnecessarily. This is not an attempt to shield the Bill from the proper scrutiny that should be undertaken. It is a vital measure, and one that has already been subject to Assembly scrutiny as part of the process of obtaining agreement to the legislative consent motion to devolve the powers.

Again owing to my obligations under Standing Order 42(4)(c), I have already indicated that I believe that legislation should be taken through the normal process where possible, as it ensures that due process is followed and the Committee is afforded adequate time to scrutinise the Bill clause by clause. I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the accelerated passage mechanism is not unnecessarily exercised. I will resort to this approach only in exceptional circumstances. Bearing in mind that Members will have an opportunity to raise issues on the detail of the Bill at its Second Stage, I seek the House's support for accelerated passage, and I look forward to hearing Members' comments. I also look forward to the Assembly showing the same all-party support for accelerated passage that was demonstrated by the Committee.