Northern Ireland Assembly, 19 November 2013

452 contributions from 72 members. The official report.

Assembly Business

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. From time to time, I and other Members have raised the issue of excessive delay in the answering of questions for written answer. I tabled a question on 17 June 2011 to the Minister for Social Development. I received an answer two years to the day later, 17 June 2013. My point is this: I have now discovered from a freedom of information enquiry that the Minister was in receipt of the draft reply 11 days after the question was tabled and chose to sit on the answer for two years before issuing it. What facility exists to deal with such bad faith by a Minister in dealing with a question for written answer?

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I have listened to the Member's point of order. I have always encouraged Members to raise such points of order on the Floor so that they are least highlighted and on the record. There is a procedural avenue, and if the Member wants to talk to the Clerks or to the Business Office, he will be guided in such a way that, hopefully, the issue he described will not happen again. I think that that is vital. As the Member will know, I always encourage Ministers, as far as possible, to get answers to questions out to Members. There is an avenue that the Member could pursue, and I encourage him to do that.

Before we start today's business, I was asked by Members to look at Hansard, and especially at the debate that we had yesterday on the ombudsman's office. On an initial look at Hansard, it does not make good reading. We are almost halfway through this term of the Assembly, and I have to say that the debates have fallen very much to a point where Members should question some of the offensive language that they use in the Chamber.

I have continually reminded the House that the standards that I expect are courtesy, good temper and moderation. It amazes me that a number of seasoned politicians in the Assembly, parliamentarians who have been in the House for some years, feel that the only way in which they can make a contribution is to be offensive to other Members.

Reading yesterday's Hansard tells me that Members deliberately rise in their place to be offensive to other Members. I refer in particular to remarks made by Mr Sheehan, Mr Allister and Mr Elliott in the Chamber yesterday. Some of their contributions fell far short of the good temper and moderation that we should all expect in the Chamber. I will be closely watching the three Members whom I have named, and, if I find that they have crossed a line in future, I will not call them for their contribution. In fact, I will go further: I will ask them to take their place and I will move on.

Members need to realise that my job here is to protect the integrity of the Assembly and the business that goes through and is debated. I just cannot allow Members to make a contribution and to be so offensive that, coming from senior politicians, it is unbelievable. Members can make a robust contribution to the debate, and there can be a very strong exchange of views, but it should not be offensive to any Member of the House. I will not take any points of order on the issue. I ask Members to observe the good standards of moderation and language of the House. Let us move on.

Ministerial Statements

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

In accordance with the requirements of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I wish to make the following statement on the twenty-first summit meeting of the British-Irish Council (BIC) held on 15 November 2013. The deputy First Minister has agreed that I make this statement to the Assembly on behalf of both of us.

The Government of Jersey hosted the summit and the heads of delegations were welcomed by the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst. The UK Government were led by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP. The Irish Government delegation was led by the Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny TD, and the Scottish Government were led by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, Mr John Swinney MSP. The Welsh Government were led by the First Minister, the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM. The Governments of Guernsey and the Isle of Man were led by Chief Ministers Deputy Peter Harwood and the Hon Allan Bell MHK respectively. A full list of participants is attached to the copy of the statement that has been provided to Members.

The summit again underlined the British-Irish Council’s important role in promoting and developing links between its member Administrations and providing a forum for consultation and exchange of information on matters of mutual interest within the competence of each Administration.

Following the decision taken at the twentieth summit meeting in Londonderry to establish a BIC creative industries work sector led by the Government of Jersey, the Council considered and approved a work programme for the next two years at the Jersey summit. We discussed how the work sector might nurture and further support the environments from which a new generation of creative people, creative ideas and creative businesses can emerge and flourish. From a local perspective, we reported on how a determined focus by the Executive on the creative industries has seen significant investment by globally recognised companies and produced sustainable jobs locally for many hundreds of people.

The Council discussed the current economic situation in the member Administrations, with a particular focus on youth employment and unemployment. Building on previous discussions on youth employment, the Council examined the progress made in each member Administration through their various policy initiatives and programmes aimed at specifically helping young people into employment.

The Council also reported on the latest relevant local employment statistics and reviewed the activities within each BIC working group specific to the employment opportunities for young people. In a wider context, the Council was updated on the work that had taken place across each of the Council’s 11 work sectors since the last summit in June 2013.

Finally, the Council received an update from the secretariat on the progress it had made against its business plan during the first six months of this financial year. Members will wish to note that the next BIC summit will be hosted by the Government of Guernsey in June 2014.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

I thank the First Minister for the statement. Which member Administrations are making best progress on helping young people into employment? Where does Northern Ireland fit in the league table, and did the First Minister bring back any initiatives that can be applied to Northern Ireland?

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I suppose that it depends largely on which Administration provide figures that indicate, according to their size, the extent to which there is a problem. For instance, the Government of Guernsey said that 41 young people were out of work. It seems that unemployment in those cases would be a simple matter. I think that the Minister said, "You'd probably think that I should hold a barbecue and make a few phone calls to sort this out". So although we are talking about very small numbers in the Crown dependencies, when it comes to the main jurisdictions of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, Northern Ireland, relatively speaking, fares very well. Indeed, a look at the figures up to August showed us to have the lowest level of youth unemployment of all those regions. Back then, the figure for the quarter ending in August was 18·8%, compared to the high 20 per cents in some of the other regions and, indeed, the UK average. The figure in Spain is in excess of 50%. So, youth unemployment is a worldwide problem.

It seems to me that many employers look at young people as people who are inexperienced and who will cost them something in getting them ready to be employed, whereas the more intelligent employer will see people who have fresh and innovative ideas who can be moulded to become perfect employees. It is very much about the outlook that employers take in times of recession.

Stephen Moutray (DUP, Upper Bann)

I thank the First Minister for the statement. Will he advise how he reported that the Northern Ireland Executive are specifically seeking to tackle youth unemployment?

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

The only way to tackle unemployment issues is to provide more jobs, and doing that, of course, comes directly from the private sector. We take a number of steps through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to encourage the economy, whether that be through the incentives that we give to local companies or by encouraging foreign direct investment. We have been very successful in doing that.

On the other side, which is getting people prepared for work, the Department for Employment and Learning has a suite of programmes. Obviously, it has the youth employment scheme, First Start, Pathways to Success and a number of different projects that are all aimed at getting people ready for employment.

For instance, in our Department, through the Delivering Social Change programme, the deputy First Minister and I have, under the programme that we brought forward arising from Together: Building a United Community, the proposal for 10,000 placements for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), which, again, would be divided into looking for pathways into work and, at the same time, looking into civic responsibility and cross-community programmes.

Barry McElduff (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I will concentrate on the last and fourth-last sentences of the statement.

I am looking ahead to the next meeting of the BIC. I suggest to the First Minister that very many people in the construction industry commute to work weekly because opportunities exist in England, Scotland and Wales. Ahead of the next BIC summit, would it be a good idea for the Executive to work, perhaps with the Construction Employers Federation, to secure an even greater proportion of work in England, Scotland and Wales for local companies so as to provide opportunities for the hard-pressed construction industry? It is in line with the whole theme of work here.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I congratulate the Member for his ingenuity in getting out of the statement something that was not there. I have to say that I agree with him. Considerable numbers of people leave the Province to take up employment, in GB in particular. Indeed, when we were flying back, the deputy First Minister and I met and spoke to a large number of people who were doing just that — leaving on a Monday morning and coming back on a Friday. Our greatest desire is for the construction industry in Northern Ireland to be revitalised to such an extent that people do not have to leave to get employment. Of course, because it is the private sector, it is ultimately the job of those who use employees from Northern Ireland to employ them. It is not everybody's desire to leave their family for the whole week to get employment. However, if there is no local employment, one can understand why they do it. Indeed, I would encourage them, because it shows their desire to carry out a productive, remunerative job, with the dignity that goes along with that.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

I thank the First Minister for his statement, which to me appears to be very positive. In light of the recent news that the president of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, will pay an official visit to Britain next year, is there an opportunity to exploit the maximum jobs and tourism gains that will flow from that visit?

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

The fact that he is going on a state visit indicates that the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland is at an all-time high. It indicates that we recognise the value not only of the friendship but of being trading partners that can flow from that through the structures that we have. We make the best political value that we can, on a North/South and an east-west basis. I very much welcome the fact that President Higgins will take part in a state visit and that it comes off the back of a very successful visit by Her Majesty the Queen to the Irish Republic. It also indicates the kind of progress that we are making as a society, where there is a normalisation of the kinds of relationships that should take place between any two friendly neighbours.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

I think that the Minister is quite right to blow our trumpet over the success of the creative industries, which must be the envy of other Administrations. However, Northern Ireland still has the lowest rate of public arts funding in the UK. I wonder whether the role of arts funding in stimulating economic growth was discussed at the meeting. If so, at what lessons or best practice will the Ministers be looking?

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

Although the meeting did not deal specifically with that subject, the underlying trend from all the Administrations during the discussion was a recognition that the creative industries are a significant part of local economies. They provide employment, and not just, it has to be said, for the artists, whether they be actors, actresses, people in the music industry or painters. The facts are that, when it comes to television and film series, you are dealing with electricians, people in the construction industry, gardeners and so on. About 700 people have been employed in 'Game of Thrones' alone. I am delighted by the fact that the film 'Dracula' is going to be made in Northern Ireland. I am sure that there are people in the Assembly who would be well equipped to land a role in that production, but I will not point the finger anywhere.

So, there are real opportunities that help our economy. As far as arts funding itself is concerned, I recall from my days as Finance Minister that, when I increased arts funding, the sector was very grateful for those increases. I believe that there are real benefits for society beyond the economic benefits of having an increase in arts funding. All those things, however, have to be weighed against other priorities, and I am sure that the Finance Minister will have heard what the Member had to say.

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

I thank the First Minister for his statement this morning. Staying on the theme of the creative industries, will he outline some of the successes that there have been in attracting and securing investment in the creative industries and how those compare with other BIC Administrations?

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

When we talk about the creative industries, there is a tendency in Northern Ireland, because of the success of film and television series, to concentrate on those issues. Beyond those, however, there have been many successes, including with mobile phone apps, digital gaming and music. Music for television series, for instance, can be done in my constituency in East Belfast for the west coast of the United States.

A lot of opportunities are available in the creative industries sector. Everybody will be aware that the television series 'The Fall' is made in Northern Ireland. Not only do we have the Paint Hall, now renamed Titanic Studios, but the additional studios that have been built there indicate that this is a growing and prospering element of our economy. It is one that the deputy First Minister and I were very supportive of and wanted to encourage. I believe that the potential for young people in Northern Ireland to be able to get opportunities here instead of having to leave our shores to get them indicates that we have a very exciting future in the creative industries.

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

I thank the First Minister for his report. He referred to youth unemployment here in Northern Ireland. Whatever way you look at it, it is highly problematical. It seems that other jurisdictions are suffering similar problems. Was any thought given to a follow-up conference to focus purely on dealing with youth unemployment throughout all the jurisdictions in Britain and in Ireland?

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

We have had several discussions now in the British-Irish Council on youth employment/unemployment, which indicates just how seriously it is being taken. I want to be clear that, when I talk about us hovering around the 18% to 20% level of youth unemployment and how that is less than the rate everywhere around us, it is nothing to crow about. Those are still very high levels of unemployment. I think that the kind of steps that we are taking are bearing down on that level of unemployment. That is an indicator. This goes back to a previous question, in that I think that our programmes for tackling youth unemployment are, perhaps, more successful than those in some of the other jurisdictions. I think that, if we can get our scheme under way, where we will have 10,000 placements of young people who are NEET, that will really eat into the figure. I also think that people who go through that programme will turn out to be more rounded individuals. The very fact that they will have been on the programme will be an incentive to employers, who will know that they have somebody who has skills and training in a wide range of areas that makes them a more suitable employee.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

I thank the First Minister for his statement. At this stage, First Minister, Members need to be innovative in the questioning because we have already covered all the ground pretty well.

First Minister, you referred to the business plans and the progress made. Could you perhaps share some of the detail with us on how that progress has made itself known?

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I am not clear which business plan we are talking about. If the Member wants to clarify that, even from a sedentary position, I will follow it up.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

It is in the penultimate paragraph.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

You are talking about the business plan for BIC itself. The BIC has a series of groups that carry out work and study in individual areas. Following on from the previous question, one of those areas that Jersey is taking responsibility for will deal with youth employment. There is a whole series of work streams. The various jurisdictions and the Ministers involved in those areas will meet and prepare reports, which will eventually come back to BIC when they are completed. It is ongoing work as part of our business plan.

In relation to the overall business plan for BIC, we had the secretariat's report, which indicated that £20,000 was underspent during the period. The new arrangements that we have with our head office in Scotland are working well. I would like to say — I am reluctant to make this too public — that we need to have a greater presence from those with the prime responsibility in jurisdictions, rather than their handing it down to Ministers who might be considered to be, and I do not want to be offensive, lower down the line.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I thank the First Minister for his report. I want to follow up on the matter of youth unemployment. Was there any discussion on the youth guarantee scheme, which is the scheme where under-25s are guaranteed work, an apprenticeship or training within four months of being unemployed?

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

There was no specific discussion. Each jurisdiction outlined the proposals that it has in its own area. As I already indicated, we dealt with the youth employment scheme, the Pathways to Success strategy and the youth employment First Start programme. Those were the offerings that we had. We also mentioned the Delivering Social Change policies. Each jurisdiction set out the schemes that it has. Some of them are similar, but then the problems in the Crown dependencies are at a much lower level than they are in the other jurisdictions.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I wish to make the following statement on the sixteenth North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meeting in the health and food safety sectoral format, which was held in the NSMC joint secretariat offices in Armagh on Friday 18 October 2013. Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA and I represented the Northern Ireland Executive at the meeting. The Irish Government were represented by Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Health, who chaired the meeting on this occasion. This statement has been agreed with Minister O’Neill, and I am making it on behalf of us both.

Ministers received a presentation on the work of Safefood from the CEO, Martin Higgins. The presentation highlighted the completion of the infectious intestinal disease (IID) telephone survey and its publication, which allows for a comparison between disease incidence in Northern Ireland and facilitates an all-island estimate of the burden of the disease. The survey revealed that the estimated rate of IID in Ireland is similar to the rate in Northern Ireland and the UK as a whole.

The CEO’s report also included findings of research exploring the knowledge, attitude and skills of primary care health professionals on the island of Ireland towards weight management. The success of the all-island obesity action forum workshop and meetings that focused on childhood obesity was referred to in the presentation, as was the commencement of a new communication campaign on childhood obesity. The new campaign, which was launched on 21 October, will focus on helping parents tackle the everyday habits that are associated with excess weight in childhood and on maintaining awareness of the health challenges posed by excess weight. One in four children starting school is overweight or obese, and the campaign is Safefood’s contribution to tackling the problem.

We welcomed a presentation from Ms Anne Walsh of the East Belfast Mission on the practical work undertaken by the mission in tackling health inequalities, access to healthy and nutritious diet, and healthy eating education programmes for those in poorer circumstances. The presentation focused on the positive impacts of the funding provided by Safefood over the period 2011-13.

Ministers reviewed progress on the development of the Safefood business plan and budget 2013 and on the delivery of efficiency savings. We also received an update on the Safefood 2012 annual report and accounts, which have now been signed off by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland and the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General. We were updated on the development of Safefood’s draft 2014-16 corporate plan and draft business plan 2014. The key priority for the corporate plan 2014-16 is centred on enhancing the relationship with and relevance of Safefood for the island of Ireland consumer. The strategic intent is to maintain consumer confidence in the food supply chain, supported by relevant robust research and targeted communication and education initiatives, encouraging ultimately safer food and healthier food choices.

A particular priority will be to help communities at disadvantage, and in particular those in, or at risk of, food poverty or deprivation, by continuing the development of the community food initiatives programme, which supports food safety and nutrition programmes in disadvantaged areas. There will also be an emphasis on the environment in which food is sold, in order to influence choices made in the interests of food safety and healthy eating by working with the broader food industry and developing research programmes on the psychology of consumer choice.

The 2014 business plan will identify the specific deliverables required in the first year of the corporate plan 2014-16. In 2014, Safefood will continue the delivery of the three-year childhood obesity campaign in partnership with key agencies on the island of Ireland. A key priority for 2014 will be the development of the website and other digital and social media channels as access points and information channels for all stakeholders. Ministers approved the appointment of Dr Christine Domegan as a new member of Safefood’s scientific advisory committee, the reappointment of Mr Robert Huey as vice chair and the reappointment of six existing members of Safefood’s scientific advisory committee.

In relation to health promotion matters, Ministers recognised the progress made on strategies to prevent the harm related to alcohol misuse in both jurisdictions, including close cooperation on the North/South alcohol policy advisory group and on awarding a joint contract to conduct research and health impact assessments on minimum unit pricing. It is anticipated that the research will be available in early 2014.

We commended the progress made on strategies and initiatives to prevent overweight and obesity in both jurisdictions, including the Northern Ireland obesity prevention framework, Caloriewise and front-of-pack labelling, and similar measures in Ireland under the aegis of the special action group on obesity and the agreement at EU level for an action plan on childhood obesity.

Ministers welcomed the launch on 3 October of the report of the Tobacco Policy Review Group titled 'Tobacco Free Ireland' and agreed that an all-island tobacco conference should be held in November 2013. We welcomed the joint launches of the all-island Young Men and Suicide Project report in January 2013. We were also briefed on the new Northern Ireland breastfeeding strategy. The strategy includes actions for partnership working with Ireland, including exploring opportunities for all-island research and campaigns to raise awareness and promote public acceptance of breastfeeding, particularly in public.

Ministers received an update on the business planning process for the establishment of a new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin. That is progressing, with the construction due to commence in the spring of 2014 and completion scheduled for the summer of 2016. Officials from both jurisdictions have developed an agreed text for a memorandum of understanding on the project and continue to work together to ensure the delivery of a service level agreement for the operation of the unit.

We were informed that the Health Service Executive, the Health and Social Care Board and the Western Trust have intensified discussions on service delivery costs for patients from the Irish healthcare system, as there is an urgency to reach agreement on the service level agreement in order to deliver the project within the required time frame.

Ministers acknowledged the continued progress through the work of the Ireland-Northern Ireland-National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium.

We also acknowledged the continued success of the US-Ireland R&D partnership and the plans to raise awareness internationally of the value that it adds to excellent research, focusing on improving healthcare, population health and economic development.

On child protection, Ministers welcomed the success of the all-Ireland child protection conference held in May 2013, which was attended by over 250 delegates. It facilitated practitioners, managers, policy-makers and legislators from both jurisdictions to share practice, knowledge, research, experience and learning in relation to safeguarding and child protection practice. We reviewed the continued progress of the agreed work programme on child protection and agreed that further progress on the work of the child protection programme will be reported at future NSMC meetings.

Finally, on EU matters, Ministers acknowledged the North/South engagement during Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union and the progress made during the presidency in the area of health, including the agreement of a general approach on a revised draft EU tobacco directive and the first reading agreement with the European Parliament on a decision on serious cross-border threats to health.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his statement. First, I welcome the update on the new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin, with construction due in spring 2014 and completion by summer 2016. I seek assurances from the Minister that all the issues around the cross-border memorandum of understanding have now been resolved.

Regarding the update on child protection, are there any plans to address the issue of child sexual exploitation on an all-Ireland basis? Will the inquiry that the Minister has announced consider whether there is a cross-border issue in relation to child sexual exploitation?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

People need to understand that there is a difference between child sexual exploitation and child abuse. Both are deplorable, but they are different things.

We held an all-Ireland conference on child protection in May. Borders certainly should not provide an opportunity for people who want to exploit or abuse young people and children, and we need to ensure that we can reduce those opportunities. It is important to remember that research indicates that the majority of young people at risk of sexual exploitation live at home, in their own community, and may not be known to professionals or agencies on either side of the border. My Department and its arm's-length bodies — the health trusts and the Health and Social Care Board — have worked to raise awareness of the phenomenon of child sexual exploitation as one form of child sexual abuse and have worked cooperatively with the PSNI to respond to those concerns.

The British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and the Northern Ireland Association of Social Workers jointly delivered a conference to over 250 professionals working in the field. So, there has been a lot of development there. Also, the Safeguarding Board has identified child sexual exploitation as one of its key areas of focus. That will assist in ensuring that child sexual exploitation is a key area of concern for all member organisations of the Safeguarding Board and that they work together to address this despicable crime.

Kathleen Marshall is obviously heading up an inquiry, and, if she feels that she needs to speak to people in the Republic of Ireland about any element of it, she is more than welcome to do so in seeking to ascertain the facts and to identify best ways forward for the future.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement today. What is being done to tackle cyberbullying and websites that promote suicide?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Cyberbullying can be quite a problem. The UK Council for Child Internet Safety addresses issues around online bullying and promotes safer internet usage. It has developed programmes to increase parental awareness of how to keep safe online and to improve the resources available to schools to teach children about using the internet safely and to build their resilience to potentially inappropriate content that they may encounter online. My Department is represented on the council.

(Mr Deputy Speaker [Mr Dallat] in the Chair)

Websites that encourage suicide and memorial social networking pages on which young people continue to interact with a deceased person are of serious concern, and parents need to be educated on those issues so that they can monitor their children's activities. I understand that that is a lot harder now. There used to be fixed computers, but youngsters now use laptops, iPads, tablets and mobile phones, so it may not be as easy for parents to monitor to the extent that they should. However, parents need that support and education to ensure proper monitoring, and pressure also needs to be maintained on internet service providers to take down inappropriate sites.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I refer to the communication campaign on childhood obesity and the Safefood three-year childhood obesity campaign. Given the pressures that long-term obesity puts on the health service, what measurables and targets are being put in place to ensure that those campaigns are successful?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

We have had some discussions because one area of concern is the crossover with organisations such as the Public Health Agency and the Food Standards Agency. We have been very clear that those organisations need to work together because we cannot afford a duplication of services and costs. Consequently, those organisations will hold quarterly meetings on these subjects to identify the progress that they are making, how they can collaborate to get key messages out — there is a potential crossover — and how to ensure that best use is made of resources and we eradicate waste on that front, allowing us to spend more money on tackling what is, as the Member stated, a very important issue.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement. He welcomed the launch of the tobacco policy review group's report, 'Tobacco Free Ireland', and agreed that an all-island tobacco conference should be held. Will the Minister advise us of the report's key recommendations and outline the particular focus of the conference to be held this month?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The conference was actually held yesterday and was very successful. It was held in Riddel Hall in Stranmillis, which is part of Queen's University.

In a 10-year strategy, we have set a target to reduce tobacco smoking to 15%. The Republic of Ireland wants to go to 5% by 2025, which is very challenging. I believe that 15% is achievable, but we have to be very focused and strong if we want to achieve it. In Australia and in a number of states in the United States of America, for example, smoking is down to 17% and below, so it should be achievable for us to reach 15% in 10 years. We need to confront the issues and be prepared to indicate that what is going on with tobacco smoking is intolerable.

Many people are still exposed to second-hand smoke in homes, cars and other places, and we need to engage in an education process. You cannot tell parents that they should not smoke or ban them from smoking in their own home, but we should tell them that it is not appropriate to do it and that it is not appropriate to do it in cars. We can look at banning smoking in cars, particularly when children are being carried. We can look at the types of cigarette packaging. We have dinky little packages that look like lipstick, slim packs and so on that become almost a fashion accessory. We need to challenge those who supply tobacco. Our biggest issue is stopping young people smoking. The tobacco industry is clearly targeting young people, and, every year, many more people start to smoke, and we have not reduced the figures much in recent years.

For everybody who dies and for everybody who ceases to smoke, the tobacco industry, in spite of all the marketing restrictions, still succeeds in recruiting new people. We, as an Assembly, really need to challenge that. We need to give a lot of thought to it and be very strong in our deliberations.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for his statement. I particularly welcome the new communication campaign on childhood obesity, which is a growing problem — excuse the pun — not only in the UK but in other rich countries, including China. A healthy diet is not the only solution to obesity. Does the communication campaign include a strong message to encourage children to take part in more physical activities, such as sport and more PE lessons in schools?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I have often said that every Department and Minister has a role to play in the delivery of good healthcare. We have constantly encouraged young people to participate in physical activity through the Public Health Agency and other bodies. I look to other Departments, such as the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and the Department of Education, and organisations such as Sport NI. A series of Departments has a role to play. Local councils and their facilities are also involved. We need to work as closely together as possible to ensure that we work in a joined-up way to get those messages out.

Weight control is 80% diet and 20% physical activity, so there will always be a strong focus on diet. There is not much point in going to a fast-food outlet after you go for a swim, because you probably undo any good that you have done with your swimming, and then some. We need to encourage people to, in the first instance, take control of their diet. Good regular exercise will also help.

David McIlveen (DUP, North Antrim)

I, too, thank the Minister for his statement this morning. He will be aware of quite a lot of recent publicity about legal highs. Will he tell us what discussions took place at the meeting about that issue?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Legal highs are a relatively recent phenomenon — I said that better than Ivan Little. We have seen the emergence of so-called legal highs such as mephedrone. I am pleased to say that we have been working closely with our colleagues across the UK and Ireland on the issue. Legislation has been passed in Westminster that will allow emerging substances to be placed under a temporary ban while full consideration is given to their harm. That should help us to react more quickly and prevent substances from gaining a foothold in the UK. Our general message is clear: the fact that the products are labelled as legal does not mean that they are safe. In fact, these potentially lethal substances may pose a serious health risk. In addition, many of the substances, when tested, are shown to contain banned substances. Therefore, you are also at risk of being prosecuted and getting a criminal record for drug possession.

The legislation in the Republic of Ireland is considerably better than that in the United Kingdom. I have corresponded with the Home Office on the matter because Northern Ireland has more so-called head shops than the Republic of Ireland. In spite of a larger population, the Republic of Ireland, as a consequence of its legislation, has fewer. The Home Office could be more proactive in challenging this misuse of drugs, which are being passed to young people on our streets.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I, too, thank the Minister for his statement. Childhood obesity has been addressed on a few occasions. I think that you, Minister, will accept that, if it is not properly addressed, an even larger burden will be placed on the health service, which might restrict the roll-out of Transforming Your Care. The Minister mentioned other Departments' responsibilities. Has any discussion been held with the Department of Education and the school sector about the provision of healthy school meals?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Yes, that is an area that our officials work quite closely together on, and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Department of Education cover a range of issues. Childhood obesity is a very important one. We have high levels of childhood obesity, and the reality is that, if you are obese when you are a child, the very strong likelihood is that you will be obese as an adult. The consequences of that are higher levels of morbidity and mortality, lower quality of life and generally poorer prospects. So, we need to ensure that young people have the best opportunities in life. Therefore, tackling the issues when people are children will give them better opportunities as a result.

William Humphrey (DUP, Belfast North)

I thank the Minister for his statement and his answers so far. What is the specific role of the child protection steering group?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The child protection steering group and all these bodies have important roles to play in that we need to identify how we can ensure that we can best protect children and best meet their needs. A cross-border steering group was established by my Department and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to cooperate on a range of child protection matters, including an all-Ireland child protection awareness campaign, sharing information to enhance and improve safeguarding in child protection practice and strengthening the arrangements for sharing information on a cross-border basis in connection with individuals seeking work with children or vulnerable adults. As I have repeated in the House, a border should not be a barrier to child protection, and it should not be something that perpetrators on the vulnerable can use to their benefit. We must seek to eradicate such opportunities.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

Thanks to the Minister for his statement. In border areas, the whole way from Lough Foyle to Kilkeel, we have issues with different suicide helpline numbers North or South of the border. Also, we have an issue with roaming. Are there any plans to address this with one free phone helpline for all of Ireland?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Obviously, we have a free phone service, and we contribute around £2 million to providing the 24/7 Lifeline service. We are not proposing to change that. It is a service that works well, and we encourage people who have distress and need help to make the call. It is certainly a very important element of our suicide prevention campaign.

I should say that we had people over from the United States recently who were looking at the suicide issue and were very impressed by the work that we were carrying out. You might say that it has not been very successful because we still have close to 300 suicides a year, but I believe that we have saved many lives as a result of the work that has been carried out. We need to continue to put the messages out there that help is available, that we can support people, that we care for them and that there is a better way. All of us have a role in doing that, and, whether it is Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland or across the board, we all have a role to play in reducing the scourge of suicide in this community.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Was there any discussion about paediatric cardiac services, and is there any update that the Minister can give the House? When does he anticipate making a definitive statement about the protection and provision of such services in Northern Ireland?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

On the day and outside of the meeting, Minister Reilly and I held a bilateral meeting on paediatric cardiac services. We are in the endgame on that issue. Hopefully, meetings will take place this week or, if not, next week to continue work to resolve the problem. We need goodwill from the clinicians in the Republic of Ireland, and we need their support and help in identifying a solution to the problem that we have. A lot of us can see what the solution might look like, but we have not got it over the line at this point. Nonetheless, work is ongoing to achieve that. Time is of the essence. Professor Woods leaves our service on 9 December, and we are looking for a replacement for him. The position has been advertised, and there is interest in it, which is gratifying. Therefore, work is going on, and I hope to report to the Assembly on the issue over the next two to three weeks.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I wish to make a statement to the Assembly advising Members of my intention to begin a public consultation on the draft community resuscitation strategy for Northern Ireland.

In February 2013, by way of a written statement, I informed the House that I had asked the Chief Medical Officer to arrange for a working group to be established to develop a strategy aimed at coordinating the use of available resources to maximise the number of individuals trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills. The working group has produced a draft strategy, which is now ready to publish for consultation. The working group was chaired by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and included representatives from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), Health and Social Care (HSC) bodies and community and voluntary bodies involved in resuscitation training. There was also representation from several other Departments: the Department of Education (DE); the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL); the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD); the Department of Social Development (DSD); and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI).

In the past year in Northern Ireland, over 1,400 cardiac arrests occurred in the community outside of a hospital environment. Fewer than 10% of people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survive to be discharged from hospital. Experience from elsewhere has shown that community resuscitation can help save lives. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation are the two critical interventions that are required for a person to survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. CPR is the act of providing the rescue breaths and chest compressions that can keep the person alive until professional help arrives. There is a well-known model called the chain of survival, which is a series of actions that improve a person’s chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. Like any chain, it is only as strong as its weakest link. The chain illustrates the vital importance of speed, in particular in the following areas: early recognition that a cardiac arrest is happening; early CPR to buy time; early defibrillation to restart the heart; and post-resuscitation intensive care to restore quality of life. In parts of the world where a higher proportion of the population is trained to perform CPR, the survival rate for those who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is higher than in areas where the proportion of the population trained in CPR is low.

Typically, it takes just two hours for someone to be trained to perform CPR. In Northern Ireland, significant effort and resources are invested in CPR training in schools and other settings. I believe that a Northern Ireland community resuscitation strategy will help to focus a drive to increase the number of people of all ages trained in CPR skills, and it will help us to make the best use of available resources to achieve that. Some people who may not have been trained to do CPR are wary of intervening when someone appears to be suffering a cardiac arrest, even though they can be coached on the spot by the 999 emergency operator. As well as increasing the number of people who can perform CPR, the strategy aims to overcome the anxieties that make some people wary of getting involved.

By definition, a community resuscitation strategy has to be a collaborative effort involving the active participation of many people in all walks of life. I am grateful for the contribution made so far to the development of the strategy by our partners in the voluntary and community sector, in other Departments and in the Health and Social Care family. The whole can be greater than the sum of the parts. Continued partnership working will be an important factor in the long-term success of the strategy. This is not just about interventions by Health and Social Care but about the whole community getting actively involved. The whole spectrum of public bodies, including Departments, can lead by example.

I am confident that, across Northern Ireland, there is a shared commitment to work together and the potential to save many lives. This strategy document is a draft. I am publishing it for consultation, and I encourage everyone to contribute any ideas that could strengthen it in any way.

Northern Ireland has been a world leader in this field. The late Professor Frank Pantridge, a constituent of Lagan Valley, and his colleagues at Queen’s University and the Royal Victoria Hospital not only invented the portable defibrillator but made an important contribution to the development of CPR. The late Professor John Anderson from the University of Ulster was an outstanding figure in biomedical research. Part of their legacy is their vision and leadership. So, the purpose of this strategy is to save lives, and we should be ambitious.

The strategy document sets out the case for a community resuscitation strategy. It describes the scope of the proposed strategy, which focuses on the first three links in the chain of survival. Those are: early recognition of a cardiac arrest; early cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and early defibrillation. It describes how the strategy has been developed, including a literature review and an overview of current CPR training provision in Northern Ireland. It proposes a vision and objectives for the strategy. It also lists a series of actions to be undertaken by DHSSPS, Health and Social Care bodies and other Northern Ireland Departments to further the objectives.

The vision for the strategy is to increase, to the highest level that can be achieved across Northern Ireland, survival for those who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The strategy partners will seek to realise the vision by pursuing the following objectives: raising public awareness of the importance of early recognition of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and the significance of early intervention; encouraging members of the public to intervene in the event of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; increasing the availability of, and access to, appropriate and effective CPR training provision across Northern Ireland; achieving higher uptake of CPR training; making the most efficient use of the resources that are available to support community resuscitation training; improving the availability of, and access to, the automated external defibrillators that are in place across Northern Ireland; and enhancing the capacity of information systems to capture and provide key data on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and patient outcomes.

The public consultation on the draft regional community resuscitation strategy for Northern Ireland will be launched on 20 November. I encourage everyone to contribute any ideas that they feel could strengthen it in any way. The strategy document will be available on my Department’s website tomorrow.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his statement. I think that it is right and proper that we look at increased CPR training. I hope that the strategy looks at increasing equipment, particularly in some of our council venues.

I want to ask the Minister specifically about health inequalities. Rates of cardiac disease are higher in the more economically deprived communities and areas. Therefore, it makes sense for extra attention to be targeted towards those areas. Has that been factored in to the strategy at this stage?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The biggest challenge facing us on that front is public health. I believe that health inequalities are wrong, and I also believe that we have to challenge these issues. For example, the rate of tobacco smoking is twice as high in many areas of deprivation as it is in more affluent areas. It is one of the key causes of heart attacks. We need to recognise that we should avoid heart attacks in the first place, and there is much that can be done to achieve that.

We want to have the strategy, CPR and all these things right across Northern Ireland. We want the ability to do these things and for them to be readily available to you, whether you live in the most affluent or, indeed, the most disadvantaged place in Northern Ireland. We want to ensure that, if you have a heart attack, there will be someone there who will be able to take actions that will give you a chance of surviving, as opposed to people standing on the street scratching their heads wondering what they could do to help but not actually knowing what they could do. I think that this should be viewed very positively, because it will save lives.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement. Does he believe that the provision of CPR training in Northern Ireland is adequate?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Department recognises the importance of people being trained in CPR. It issued a standard in the 'Service Framework for Cardiovascular Health and Wellbeing', which was published in June 2009 and which states:

"Health and social care professionals should work with schools, workplaces and communities to raise awareness of and access to emergency life support (ELS) skills".

As resources are finite, the challenge is to achieve as much as possible with the available resources.

Since I came into office, we have engaged in a course of work with a number of sporting organisations. The good thing about CPR is that it is quite easy to cascade training. You can easily train trainers and train large numbers of people relatively quickly. I think that that is where we want to go on this issue. We want as many people trained as possible to ensure that, in most circumstances, somebody will be around who has CPR and resuscitation skills.

In places such as Seattle, where programmes like this have been carried out, the difference in the number of people who survive heart attacks is really dramatic. Some 1,400 people have heart attacks outside of hospitals here each year, and we have a survival rate of less than 10%. If we were to double that survival rate — that would be modest — and move that up to 20%, an extra 140 people would be alive as a result of this strategy. This is a very important piece of work, and we should embrace it.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

The Minister has rightly outlined the early parts of the chain, and, of course, the later parts of the chain are the emergency services and further hospital services. Does he accept that there is a weakest link potential in the area of communication, particularly in remote areas? Is he having any conversations with other relevant Departments in an effort to ensure that mobile communications, in particular, are as robust as they can be in remote areas to ensure the further success of his strategy?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

That is an important element for us in all aspects of health. As we move more towards telehealth and telemonitoring, it is absolutely critical to have good communication opportunities.

Northern Ireland has good communications, although I accept that there are black spots in a relatively small number of areas. We need to continue to work with the communication companies. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is obviously the lead Department on that issue, and we will always encourage that Department to continue to ensure that the communications network is as strong as possible because it assists us greatly in a whole range of areas to do with health.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

The Minister mentioned that fewer than 10% of those who suffer from a cardiac arrest outside of hospital will survive. Earlier, a Member mentioned more remote areas. Organisations such as Islandmagee First Responders have been established by volunteers to support areas that are an extended distance from hospitals and medical support. Will the Minister advise what support is available for such organisations and what training is available to nourish and develop them and to encourage other communities to self-help where such groups exist?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

We have set aside quite a lot of money to support the voluntary sector, and it makes bids to the Health and Social Care Board, the Public Health Agency and the trusts for funding. That is carried out through needs analyses, and there are mechanisms for doing that. A series of organisations provide support, and we all see them at many sporting events and other large events.

This strategy is about moving it beyond the voluntary sector to every possible individual. If we go to a youth organisation or a sporting club, training should not be restricted to half a dozen people in those organisations. It should be available to everybody who wants to do it, because, many times, incidents happen outside of those contexts. It may be in the home or elsewhere where there are only two or three people around. We will continue to support organisations such as first responders. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service provides support and training for them, and that will continue.

Stewart Dickson (Alliance, East Antrim)

Thank you, Minister, for your statement. CPR training has been rolled out to a wide range of organisations in Northern Ireland for 50 years, including youth groups, schools and the various ambulance organisations, but the new portable defibrillators are now seen in supermarkets and in all sorts of places across Northern Ireland. There is a need to provide training for those, because that is the next step in CPR. The training has been delivered in many ways to many people, but many people are scared to use those new pieces of equipment. How does the Minister intend to get the community over the fear of using those?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Member is absolutely right. AEDs, or defibrillators, are very successful in getting the heart shocked and reset. There is a huge asset to us in that. There is no actual record of how many AEDs there are. People and organisations acquire them, and they do not have to be licensed, so we do not know about them all. We believe that there are roughly 1,000 AEDs across Northern Ireland. If somebody has a heart attack and one of those is on the wall, and people do not know where it is or how to use it, the fundraising to acquire one is then not of much benefit. We will train more people to use AEDs. The first element will be the CPD, but it is important that we have defibrillators widely available and that 1,000 is a reasonable number, although we would like to see more, and that people are equipped to use them.

David McIlveen (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement. What decisions has he taken over the past two to three years to try to reduce cardiac and circulatory disease?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

We discussed in the previous statement the primary prevention campaigns aimed at the known factors of cardiovascular diseases, such as smoking and obesity. Those are key areas in reducing the number of heart attacks in the first place.

We also have a quality and outcomes framework in the general medical service. The contract has an emphasis on the minimisation of risk factors for heart and circulatory disease, and on the secondary prevention of heart and circulatory disease. In addition, a three-year directed enhanced service supports the service framework for cardiovascular health and well-being, which was introduced in 2008-09.

The cardiovascular service framework which was introduced in 2009 sets out comprehensive pathways and standards for prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, long-term management and palliative care in relation to cardiovascular disease. The Public Health Agency leads on that.

More recently, we established a 24/7 cath lab in the Royal Victoria Hospital. A 24/7 service will become available at Altnagelvin in early summer next year. Those will bring about an astonishing improvement in recovery from heart attacks, including saving lives but also improving the quality of life. If people have a heart attack, the damage done to the muscle of the heart can be hugely detrimental to having a good quality of life thereafter. The primary and community care investment programme interventions will ensure that considerably less damage is done to the muscle of the heart, so it will not just save lives but extend them and improve the quality of people's lives.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Minister for his statement. In my constituency, the Carnbane league is one of the largest amateur soccer leagues in the North. Because of the incidence of young players in other areas and in our own suffering cardiac arrest while playing football, it is policy to send young players to be tested for possible heart defects. That proved to be very successful. Will the Minister encourage that policy? Will he accept that many sporting clubs, if not all, should have access to CPR and defibrillators?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The screening of everybody would be hugely challenging. It is not a route that we have gone down thus far, and I do not think that the analysis would lead us at this point to consider that to be the best use of resources. I believe that encouraging all young people in sporting organisations to get involved in the implementation of a community resuscitation strategy and ensuring that they are capable of carrying out resuscitation is core to a lot of these issues so that we can respond very quickly when someone falls ill. As I indicated, the more young people who can be trained, the better the chance of them assisting someone in the workplace, in the home or at some other event outside the sporting organisation. I do not believe that it should just be a core from each organisation. I want it to filter through and cascade to as many people in the organisation as possible.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for what is a very important statement. Will he join me in placing on public record our appreciation of the work carried out by the late Mr Shaun Esler MBE from Ballymoney, who spearheaded the work of the placement of defibrillators in Ballymoney retail premises? It follows on from the point that was made by Mr Dickson.

Wearing another hat as Chair of the Education Committee, can I ask the Minister whether he believes CPR training should be compulsory in our schools? Programmes such as the North Eastern Education and Library Board's Heartstart are to be commended.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

It is not for me to interfere in another Department. As Chair of the Committee, you will challenge that Department on many occasions, and rightly so. That is the role. Education has a major role in assisting other Departments across a range of issues, as other Departments have a role in assisting Education, but if we are to ensure that young people are well rounded, their education needs to be very broad.

I see the introduction of CPR as being very positive regarding having better rounded young people. It would not take a lot of time away from their curriculum, and there would be a great opportunity to participate in high schools, but that is exclusively a decision for the Minister. I hope that the Chair of the Education Committee and his colleagues will be very encouraging to the Education Minister to ensure that that will be the case across our schools.

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

I thank the Minister for what I see as one of the most important statements that he has ever made. I come from the south Down area, and we have witnessed three young people lose their lives on the football field: Oisin McGuinness; Patrick Dinsmore; and our own Councillor Mickey Cole. The families of those young men have campaigned tirelessly for such a campaign to take place by raising funds for local sports clubs, schools etc to have training and have defibrillators at hand. I welcome the fact that you are asking all Departments to lead by example and realise the vision of what we are after. What plans does the Minister have to deliver the campaign to everybody in our community through advertising?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

We have not got to that point yet. Obviously, this is a consultation document, and I encourage as many people as possible to respond to it. If they have ideas, and if there is anything that they think that we have not covered, we would be very keen to hear about them. Very often, you can get ideas coming from the community that are not always obvious to a civil servant or public health official. So, we will encourage people to participate in the first instance by responding to the consultation.

We will try to turn the strategy around as quickly as possible. The sooner it is implemented, the better. I asked the Chief Medical Officer to work on the draft strategy, he completed that work, and I am bringing it to the House immediately. I want to make progress as soon as possible because the bottom line is that the sooner we can cascade training across Northern Ireland, the more lives we are likely to save.

I particularly appreciate where the Member is coming from in speaking about the very personal incidents that have happened in her community. It has happened to young people who looked the picture of health. We are not talking about people standing on the touchline with a cigarette in hand and carrying a lot of weight. Fit young people can have heart attacks as well. Our response can give them a chance of living, as opposed to people not knowing what to do.

Samuel Gardiner (UUP, Upper Bann)

I thank the Minister for his statement and warmly welcome today's announcement. As the Minister said, many schoolchildren are already receiving training in emergency life-support skills. However, unfortunately, some schools do not accommodate that. Will the Minister speak to the Minister of Education to ask that such training become a formal part of the teaching programme in our schools?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Given that this is a document for consultation, that certainly may be a suggestion that people will put to us and, indeed, to the Department of Education. It may be a point that we can amend during the consultation process, should the Department of Education wish to state clearly that it wants to engage in such training provision. I cannot speak for the Department of Education. That is purely a matter for it, and it is a matter for Members how they wish to lobby me and the Minister of Education. However, I can see the logic in what Members have said.

William Humphrey (DUP, Belfast North)

I thank the Minister for his statement and his answers so far. How is he ensuring that sufficient liability cover is in place in Northern Ireland for first-responder schemes?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

That is a very important question because people are sometimes fearful of intervening in case they do something wrong and a claim is made against them.

In order to support fully the important role of community first responders in assisting statutory agencies in responding to emergencies, the Department is prepared to underwrite the costs associated with legal claims for damages made against the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) as the organisation that is responsible for dealing with emergency incidents and the governance of first responders who are members of community first responder (CFR) schemes with which the Ambulance Service has an agreed memorandum of understanding (MOU). That applies in any case that arises from performance or non-performance in any medical or associated procedure that is carried out by a CFR in response to an emergency incident and when insurance cover for medical malpractice has been withdrawn by a commercial insurance provider from a relevant scheme.

In addition, the Department is prepared to underwrite the costs associated with any legal claim for damages made against individual CFR schemes, or first responders who are members of CFR schemes with which the NIAS has an agreed MOU, in any case arising from performance or non-performance in a medical or associated procedure that is the response to an emergency incident and when insurance cover for medical malpractice has been withdrawn. That undertaking is predicated on the assumption that a first responder who was tasked to an emergency incident by the NIAS and is the subject of a legal claim for damages in respect of malpractice will have been acting in good faith when dealing with the incident and within the terms of competence as set out in the MOU in force between the NIAS and the CFR scheme of which the first responder is a member.

I might add that the courts have previously taken the view that people who have acted in emergency situations with best interests at heart should not be liable to prosecution. I am not aware of successful prosecutions in such incidents.

Private Members' Business

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

The Business Committee has agreed to allow up to one hour for the debate, which is on a cross-party motion. The proposer of the motion will have 10 minutes in which to propose and 10 minutes in which to make a winding-up speech. All other Members who wish to speak will have five minutes.

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

I beg to move

That this Assembly calls on the Executive to take all necessary steps to create an effective delivery pipeline of major infrastructure work to alleviate the current economic and social difficulties being faced across the community.

Go raibh maith agat. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development uses a simple and general definition of infrastructure:

"the system of public works in a country, state or region, including roads, utility lines and public buildings."

The effectiveness of any region's infrastructure is a critical factor in its economic growth, competitiveness and social well-being. As the world changes, there is a need for a new economic and social infrastructure to accommodate that change and maximise the potential for economic growth. In addition to the new infrastructure, the existing infrastructure must be maintained, upgraded and, where necessary, replaced. That requires long-term planning, access to consistent levels of capital investment and, importantly, the political will to use that investment wisely and deliver the necessary infrastructure work.

A key part of that long-term planning in Northern Ireland is the Strategic Investment Board (SIB). Established in April 2003, the SIB is, in effect, an expert consultancy group that operates within government, working with Northern Ireland Executive Departments and agencies towards the delivery of major infrastructure projects at a lower cost, with reduced risk and faster than would otherwise be the case. That is the aim. The SIB drafts the investment strategy for Northern Ireland, which is the rolling 10-year plan of the Executive's priorities in public infrastructure as determined by Ministers. It covers all areas of government, including education, health and transport.

When the Assembly was restored in 2007, there was a commitment from the British Government of access to £18 billion for capital investment over the next 10 years. That commitment was not kept by the coalition Government in London; instead, the promised capital investment budget was slashed by about 40%. Although some £5 billion was invested in capital projects in the first three years of that commitment, the Executive have not been able to sustain that level of investment. The necessary funds have not been found in the budget available to the Executive, and the alternative finance mechanisms needed to make up the shortfall have not yet been identified or, if they have been identified, have not been used. Alternative finance mechanisms to fund major infrastructure work will be an essential part of the toolkit needed by the current and future Executives, if our economic and social infrastructure is to be fit for the future.

Those alternative mechanisms have been talked about for some time. Whether the political will exists to choose or implement them remains to be seen. The mechanisms are not exclusively partnerships with the private sector, although some parties may be predisposed to promoting what could be seen as the privatisation of sectors in which investment is needed. Other public sources of funding for major infrastructure projects are available and should be accessed. The UK infrastructure guarantee scheme has a target of unlocking up to £40 billion of infrastructure projects. The European Investment Bank has an annual fund for investment in infrastructure of about £43 billion. Extending the existing reinvestment and reform initiative could also be used to benefit infrastructure investment locally.

The Executive need to pursue the devolution of further fiscal powers to ensure that we have greater control over our finances and a greater ability to plan for the longer term. However, it cannot be emphasised enough how important it is that political will and, more importantly, political coordination across Departments are needed to deliver the major infrastructural work required. As we saw recently with the Narrow Water bridge, the slightest political hesitation, wherever that may be, can result in the loss of partners and funding for an infrastructure project. In my constituency, the community safety college at Desertcreat has been delayed because of costly mistakes in the planning of the project. We all know about the A5 scheme and the problems that arose as a result of a legal challenge to that. We have also seen how, on occasions, party political differences have been allowed to take precedence over the delivery of much-needed investment regeneration projects, such as that at the Maze/Long Kesh site.

The Assembly cannot afford to ignore the warning signs of serious problems in the current mechanisms for bringing forward major infrastructural work. What is needed is a focused and coordinated approach to delivering the first-class infrastructure that is required to assist the building of sustainable economic growth and help create a fairer and more just society.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

Will the Member give way?

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

Yes.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

Does the Member agree that it is important for Departments to look at new, different and imaginative ways to access funding for such projects, not just for major projects but also for smaller projects? I think particularly, for example, of contributions from the Green Investment Bank, which has something in the order of £3·8 billion to spend on projects nationally. If government could access some of that, it would make sense.

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

I accept that and, indeed, recently the Green Investment Bank and potentials arising from it were discussed at the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee.

More recently, a report from the Confederation of British industry (CBI) pointed out that we should benchmark our delivery of infrastructure projects against delivery in Scotland and on the rest of this island. The Executive need to learn from the example of those jurisdictions and create an effective delivery pipeline of major infrastructure works. Not only is that essential to the creation of an infrastructure that is fit for purpose, it is essential for the regeneration of our economy. An effective delivery pipeline of major works would build public confidence in the Assembly's ability to get on with the work. It would build confidence in the business community that we are serious about investment in the future and help sustain and create thousands of jobs in the construction industry.

In its report, the CBI advocates a number of changes that are required to develop and deliver infrastructure projects. A new, centralised procurement delivery agency, with a clear mandate from the Executive and, as I have mentioned, benchmarked against the agencies operating in Scotland and the rest of Ireland, should have responsibility for the procurement and delivery of public sector education and health capital projects, for example, as well as a role in the prioritisation of other capital projects. The CBI recommends the development of an accurate pipeline of infrastructure works with regular updates on the progress of departmental capital plans. There should be at least one strategic project in an advanced state of readiness in Roads Service at all times. An effective delivery pipeline would also assist in efforts to attract foreign direct investment, clearly demonstrating to all the importance that the Assembly places on improving our infrastructure and on delivering on our promise to do so.

Indeed, I heard recently from the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) on Friday — I am sure that other Members, including Mr McElduff, will refer to it — about its concerns over the lack of infrastructure capital projects west of the Bann. That pipeline should contain projects with a three- to five-year period, and there should be regular updates on progress. There must be commitment on the part of the Executive to make sure that timescales and promises with respect to the infrastructure and that pipeline are met.

The CBI report also includes some interesting proposals regarding the creation of a department of the economy and the appointment of the Minister in the Executive with overall responsibility for the delivery of infrastructure and the capital budget. The Finance Minister, along with others in the Executive, may not relish that prospect, but it is a proposal that deserves to be considered seriously.

It is essential for the Executive to create an effective delivery pipeline of major infrastructure works to alleviate the current economic and social difficulties faced across the community. The all-party working group on construction looks forward to its meeting with the Minister of Health, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister of Justice on 3 December. The Minister of Education is unavailable for that meeting, but I hope that senior officials from his Department will attend. We hope to drill down and see what major capital projects can be got out into the community and prioritised by Departments. I really do not care whether the concept is called "spade-ready" or "procurement-ready". The community wants the projects ready and to see work begin.

I thank my colleagues from other parties for their support and participation in the debate.

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

The Committee for Regional Development has not discussed the motion in advance of today's debate. I therefore base my comments on previous conversations conducted in our Committee meetings, principally during scrutiny of departmental bids during the monitoring rounds.

The Department for Regional Development and its arm's-length bodies are integral to sustained investment in our infrastructure. The Programme for Government, for example, has a target of £66 million to be invested in water and sewerage infrastructure. The price control determination for Northern Ireland Water up to 2010 called for £564 million for capital investment, while PC13 seeks a further £324 million investment. With regard to our roads infrastructure, we have the deferred A5 project at £330 million and the A2 at a cost of £57 million. There is also the A8 project, costing in excess of £110 million, including €18·3 million through the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) projects. The Committee supports those significant projects, and, to give credit where credit is due, the Department on the whole delivers them.

The Department also has a major role to play during the monitoring rounds as a means of reallocating declared excesses from other Departments. In the October monitoring round, my colleague the Finance Minister allocated £75 million to structural maintenance projects. The Committee has always been supportive of a planned schedule of infrastructural works that could be delivered in a strategic and effective manner.

It costs £116 million a year just to maintain our road network. Although the Department has been very successful in the past couple of years in hitting or getting close to that target as a result of in-year bids, we are nevertheless running a backlog in structural maintenance to the tune of £830 million. The Committee has stated in the past that a sustained effort needs to be made to reduce that backlog, not only so as not to stack up problems for future years but in recognition of the significantly positive impact that addressing the backlog would have on the construction industry and the suppliers of the materials needed to complete the works.

In times of austerity, it is no coincidence that investment in construction and infrastructure is a tool used to help rebuild the economy. The roads and sewerage systems were all built with the stimulus money spent on infrastructure. We cannot overlook the ancillary consequences of a strategic, effective and well-maintained infrastructure on, for example, tourism, imports and exports.

The Committee has on a number of occasions called on both the Department for Regional Development and Northern Ireland Water to identify and progress any shovel-ready projects to the stage at which, if major investment is identified, they will be in a position to react. Particularly in Northern Ireland Water, those are issues in which accounting practices restrict the ability of the organisation to plan effectively its capital investment programmes. I know that the previous Finance Minister and the current Minister have sought and are seeking to resolve the issues with Treasury, but we as a Committee continue to call for investment in our infrastructure to be a priority, because it makes sense, because it is essential to the development of our economy and because it is the proper thing to do. I support the motion.

Barry McElduff (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I will preface my remarks by reiterating a point made by Mr McGlone. The British Government did renege on a commitment of major investment in our infrastructure, and we are working within those parameters.

However, it is a fact that too many crucial public sector infrastructure projects and too many vital public buildings that would benefit our communities are being stalled and delayed. I do not want to overstate it, but that really causes huge despondency. Hardly a day goes past that people do not mention that the A5 — the western transport corridor that is a North/South Ministerial Council and an Executive priority — is stalled; that the Maze/Long Kesh development is stalled; and that the Narrow Water bridge is stalled. I hear those three projects mentioned non-stop in my constituency, and the delay is doing huge economic and social damage to people, communities and morale. At the end of the day, roads, buildings and bridges are about people. They are about improving connectivity and jobs. People need to be assured that every effort is being made to deliver and to fast-track projects into work on the ground, particularly the big projects that promise to make a difference.

I will now highlight a major feeling of deficit and grievance that exists west of the Bann and concentrate on the view of the construction industry there. Last Friday afternoon, along with other MLAs who are present for this debate, I attended the Tyrone and Fermanagh association meeting of the Construction Employers Federation, which was held at QMAC Construction between Pomeroy and Donaghmore. The overwhelming feeling there was that there is a dearth of construction work on the ground at this time, particularly west of the Bann. They cited difficulties with procurement. People said things such as, "A local company would not get as much as a screw nail in a big job" and "We're good enough to do the work, but we're not good enough to qualify for the list". Another phrase that I remember from that meeting was "We are PQQed to within an inch of our life". There were a lot of references to young people emigrating to Australia, Canada and New Zealand in search of work, as well as to the number of people who commute weekly to England, Scotland and Wales. I raised that point earlier with the First Minister. So, a lot of economic and social damage is being done to our communities, and that affects morale. People find it hard to understand and to stomach delay after delay. I have to say that, among the constituents that I represent, the A5 is the most acute example of that.

It needs to be remembered that the construction industry pump-primes the wider economy, as every £1 that is invested in construction tends to generate £2·84 in wider economic activity. So, to cut to the chase, people want to see a list published of every public construction project that is on the ground and/or in the pipeline at this time.

As an MLA, I appreciate Ministers' efforts to translate a promise into reality on the ground. Earlier, I took the opportunity to discuss the schools programme directly with the Minister of Education, John O'Dowd. Not enough of the schools are on the ground at this time. The Minister expressed his frustration at bureaucracy and red tape, which are often to do with the business case and economic appraisals. However, we need to overcome such hurdles and get work out and on the ground as soon as possible. People want to be absolutely assured that public projects are being monitored and managed properly and fast-tracked into real action as quickly as possible. In my constituency, again, there is the A5 and the Lisanelly shared education campus. I welcome the progress that is under way there. There is not enough progress on the enhanced local hospital that is to be built in Omagh and other local capital investments, such as primary care centres and the A32. All those cause huge concern.

My final point concerns the rural planning policy statement, PPS 21, which needs to be revisited.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

The Member's time is almost up.

Barry McElduff (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

I believe that it needs to be revisited so that rural people have greater opportunities to build a single home in the countryside. That will also make a difference, especially for local companies.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

I, too, welcome the debate and the opportunity to participate in it. Indeed, the Ulster Unionist Party recognises that a vibrant and fit-for-purpose infrastructure is a key driver in promoting growth and is, therefore, a principal component of the economy. The value of capital expenditure in economic recovery cannot be overestimated. The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to delivering the benefits from major capital projects.

The current situation is felt ever so acutely by the construction industry. Just last Friday, along with other Members here, I met representatives of the industry in my constituency of Mid Ulster. Mr McElduff gave very precise details of where that meeting was in my constituency, and I appreciate that. Although there is a glimmer of optimism in the construction industry, it has undergone a hugely rapid decline since 2007. Recent figures that were stated at that meeting showed that the industry's output was down by 43% for the quarter ending June 2013 from its peak and was down again by 5% on last year's figures. Although private housing starts are up by only 15%, completions are up by 50%. However, that is only half the level of completions in 2003 and 2004.

Over the downturn, we have heard of many construction employers going out of business, no more so than in my constituency of Mid Ulster. Looking back to when agriculture was in decline, many farmers moved from farming into construction. Now, we see many of those construction firms in decline and going out of business. Of the businesses that remain, the state of trade survey tells us, 63% of construction companies are working at only 75% capacity. Many do not expect that to get much better over the next year, but many are also hopeful that it will rise.

Although the motion concentrates on the delivery of major infrastructure work, it is important, too, that we realise and consider the implication of the downturn for the construction industry. There is a small expectancy of a labour squeeze. With people moving out of the construction industry over the past few years, we need to ensure that sufficient workers remain in the construction industry and are ready to work when projects get under way. I understand that the average age of a man on site is 50 years old. That is something that the Department of Education and the Department for Employment and Learning need to consider when looking at apprenticeships and people moving into training in that sector. It is important that the industry receives the focus that it deserves from those Departments.

It is vital that all Ministers step up to the mark to bring forward work programmes and deliver them ready for procurement. From the point of view of both government and the general public, it is, obviously, essential that infrastructure schemes are delivered on time, on budget and to the highest agreed standards. From speaking regularly to representatives of the construction industry, I am well aware of their concerns. A major one relates to the procurement process, where the need for fairness and transparency is a constant theme. Just last week, the Public Accounts Committee highlighted concerns over aspects of the rebuilding of the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. Those concerns must be addressed, and they highlight the need for appropriate and robust checks and balances to be built into a procurement process for all contracts, including major infrastructure ones.

I am pleased to say that one major infrastructure project relates to my constituency, Mid Ulster, in the shape of the new state-of-the-art emergency services training college at Desertcreat. The scheme appears to have been subject to undue delay. I very much look forward to real progress on that vital scheme, which will benefit not only Mid Ulster but the whole of Northern Ireland for decades to come.

My party's Minister for Regional Development, Danny Kennedy, has been instrumental in progressing various road infrastructure schemes, such as the Magherafelt bypass in my constituency and the recently announced A26 project in North Antrim. However, responsibility lies not only in roads but, as the motion implies, in all Departments round the Executive table. As the Member for West Tyrone mentioned, there are major concerns that the school building programme under the Department of Education for Northern Ireland is not progressing quickly enough. Last year, the Education Minister announced new school builds, but I understand that they are not going to tender, never mind being built.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

The Member's time is almost up.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

Goodness me.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

In fact, it is up.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

I support the motion.

Paul Girvan (DUP, South Antrim)

I, too, support the motion. I want to make some points about some of the positive things that have happened recently. Seventy per cent of all ongoing capital spend on projects in Northern Ireland comes from the public sector. That is happening, but unfortunately, probably not all locals benefit from it. There are some areas where some investment could be made, and I appreciate that it is vital to take a strategic look at this.

We have invested £51 million in our telecommunications network. That sector has necessarily supported some jobs, but we have to look at what is going on in other jurisdictions and ensure that we remain competitive in that area. In doing so, it is important that we put capital in to ensure that we stay as a world leader. Eighty-nine per cent of all businesses have access to fibre-optic broadband, and we want to make sure that we have a world-standard telecommunications network.

Another area that would benefit the wider economy is the interconnector between Northern Ireland and the Republic, which would provide some access to cheap energy, and that would benefit businesses, as well as the wider economy.

I will move on to some of the major projects that we have undertaken. I appreciate that the Department for Regional Development is one area where we have major spend on our roads infrastructure. The A8 project is going through in my area at present, causing major disruption to a large area in a rural economy and to the land. As a consequence of that, local businesses feel that they have benefited very little from the project. They have not tendered, because of their interpretation of red tape. They believe that it is not necessarily worthwhile to put in a tender, even for simple projects such as the fencing project. Local people involved in that industry said that it was not worthwhile doing it.

People may be unaware of some measures that have been put in place by the Executive through the Finance Department and the Finance Minister, including the prompt payment process, which ensures that businesses get cash flow and are not hamstrung. That has been of great benefit in addressing some of the cash flow issues associated with some of our minor projects. The introduction of project bank accounts has been another good initiative, and that needs to be brought out. The industry needs to be aware that it can have access to projects. We need to ensure that red tape does not prohibit local businesses from tendering for them and to actually help them to access funding.

I am a Euro-sceptic, and as such I believe that some of the tender processes that have been put in place do not necessarily help local businesses but have created difficulties in some areas. We need to ensure that we get something back. Even if you class it as a social economy clause in the project, that is a way of overcoming some of those difficulties. Those are things that need to be done.

In 2012-13 we invested £1·3 billion in road and rail, upgrading park-and-ride facilities. All of those are areas which are being brought forward. The CBI identified some of those as key areas. We invested £77 million in a capital project in the Titanic Quarter that has created 250 full-time jobs in that area. In doing so, it has spread out to a big tourist draw for that area. Those sorts of projects are very good, but it is about identifying key projects and ensuring that local people have that access to them.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

The Member's time is virtually up.

Paul Girvan (DUP, South Antrim)

Thank you very much indeed.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I support the motion. Just a few days after the announcement by the SEUPB of the withdrawal of funding for the Narrow Water bridge project, these are bad days for South Down. Our chambers of commerce right around the coast were depending so much on that not just as a major infrastructure project to boost our construction industry but to boost our tourism industry.

I want to keep my thoughts on education. I have spent many years in education, and I fully understand the importance of providing a good physical environment for our young people. I am the former principal of St Louis, Kilkeel; I retired in 2007. The principal before me thought that he would turn the first sod of the new school, but we are still waiting. The condition of the school building impacts on the type and quality of education that teaching staff can deliver. I welcome the announcement of school enhancement projects, but, like anything else, they need timely delivery.

We are gravely concerned about information in the October 2013 update on major capital works. What makes it more frustrating is that the Education Committee recently visited Scotland and saw how their capital investment programme is working, progressing and benefiting the construction industry, education and everyone. Indeed, as other people mentioned, many of our workers get on flights on Monday morning to go over to work there. The capital investment programme of the Department of Education here in Northern Ireland makes grim reading. The delays in major works affect schools across the North, from Belfast to Derry to Newry. They affect primary schools, secondary schools, Irish-medium schools and the special needs sector. The slippage in the special needs sector seems to be worse than in others. Those who need it most seem to be suffering most. The inability of the Department of Education to build what it promises covers all of the education system.

Construction companies are holding on for when they hear that projects will be shovel-ready on a certain date. When that does not happen, many of them unfortunately go under. The reasons for these significant delays include revised economic appraisals, lack of planning approval and waiting for the appointment of specialised teams. Each of these projects is valued at millions; indeed, one project is valued at up to £20 million. This is a large amount of money in Northern Ireland terms, and it is needed to stimulate our construction industry and provide the physical environment for the education of our young people.

The case for the new school buildings has been made. It is outrageous that schools, pupils and teachers endure substandard environments because of the inability of the Department to deliver the projects in a timely manner. The Minister has questions to answer in this regard. He needs to explain to the House why the Department is unable to work effectively and efficiently, but, more importantly, he needs to explain the delays to the young people who continue to be educated in substandard conditions.

This is not just about our education sector; it is about our construction industry and everybody. We need to get this right.

The debate stood suspended.

The sitting was suspended at 12.28 pm.

On resuming (Mr Principal Deputy Speaker [Mr Mitchel McLaughlin] in the Chair) —

Oral Answers to Questions

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

We will begin with 30 minutes of oral answers to questions, followed by 15 minutes of topical questions.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

1. asked the Minister of Justice what measures he will take to ensure the appropriate departmental resources are available to the relevant criminal justice agencies to bring to justice those responsible for the murders of the disappeared. (AQO 5029/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

It is very important for me as Minister and for my Department as a whole that the PSNI and other criminal justice agencies are adequately resourced to bring those responsible for the murders of the disappeared to justice. I will continue to work with colleagues at the Executive to ensure that sufficient funding is made available to them. Anyone with any information, no matter how small, should pass that on to the relevant authorities. It is important that every effort is made to help to ease the terrible ongoing suffering of those unfortunate families.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

I thank the Minister for his answer. With the finger of blame being pointed very firmly in the direction of Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams, from beyond the grave by Brendan Hughes and from among the living by Billy McKee, will the Minister join me in calling for the Sinn Féin president to provide the authorities with the information that they need to give the families of the disappeared the peace that they need and to allow the bodies of the disappeared to be buried with dignity?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I cannot point the finger at any individual, whether that be the president of Sinn Féin or anyone else. I do, however, repeat the Taoiseach's words in the Dáil on 5 November:

"somebody ordered that Jean McConville be murdered, someone instructed that people take her away, someone instructed Dolours Price to drive the vehicle used across the Border and ... someone gave the instruction in respect of what took place."

Whoever has any information, regardless of what that may be or what office they may now hold, has an absolute duty to do all that they can to assist in the recovery of those who were disappeared.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I appreciate the Minister's remark about the provision of additional funding. However, can any other investigative process be progressed by the Department of Justice or the Police Service of Northern Ireland, even on a cross-border basis with the Garda Síochána?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I appreciate Mr Elliott's question. Certainly, it is up to the PSNI and an Garda Síochána to pursue criminal investigations with whatever evidence they have. We also have the role of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains, which has specific duties to follow up in the recovery of bodies. What is essential is that anybody who has any information whatsoever that might help in the recovery of victims or in the prosecution of perpetrators should provide it.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Does the Minister agree that it is quite clear that the murder of Jean McConville was the product of a very elaborate and extensive conspiracy and that there are, therefore, many aspects of that case to be investigated, including not just those who perfected the murder but those who conspired to that end and those who have since withheld information about it? What confidence can the House have, through the Minister, that all those various persons involved are being rigorously pursued, or is it a situation —

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Let us address the question.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

— where no one wants to disrupt the process?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

If Mr Allister is suggesting that the PSNI, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and, indeed, their colleagues on the other side of the border are not doing all that they can to deal with serious crime, I think that he is making a mistaken assumption. I have no evidence to believe that everything that can be done is not being done at this stage. We have to reflect on the fact that we are talking about very difficult circumstances from many years ago. I repeat the point that somebody knows who carried out those actions, and anybody who has information that would help to recover the victims should provide it.

John McCallister (UUP, South Down)

2. asked the Minister of Justice whether he is aware of any complaints made to his Department of unfair treatment or personal bias by judges in court cases. (AQO 5030/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I am informed of any complaints that my office receives from individuals or their elected representatives in respect of the conduct of members of the judiciary. To safeguard the principle of judicial independence and the effective operation of the justice system, I have no authority to address complaints about judicial office holders. Any complaints of that nature are referred to the Office of the Lord Chief Justice, as he has sole statutory responsibility for determining complaints about the conduct of judicial office holders.

John McCallister (UUP, South Down)

The Minister will be aware, having presumably agreed to the Pledge of Office, that 1.4 (cd) states that a Minister is:

"to uphold the rule of law based as it is on the fundamental principles of fairness, impartiality and democratic accountability, including support for policing and the courts".

Does the Minister believe that the Health Minister was in breach of the Pledge of Office when he questioned whether he would get a fair hearing in the Court of Appeal?

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

That is an absolutely different question, but I will leave it to the Minister's discretion.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I can say only that the operation of the ministerial code is not for me to police on behalf of the Assembly or the Executive. It is certainly the case that Ministers collectively, and in the issue that he highlights, the Health Minister specifically, may wish to reflect on his recent comments about the independence of the judiciary, but it is not for me to determine on behalf of any other body what his actions should be.

Paul Givan (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Minister will be aware of the evidence provided to the Justice Committee by His Honour Judge Marrinan, who said that the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC) acted irrationally, unfairly and illegally in the appointment of a High Court judge. Is the Minister concerned, on the basis of the evidence provided to the Committee, about the way in which NIJAC operates, given that its chairman is the Lord Chief Justice?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I am certainly aware of the Justice Committee meeting, at which it appeared to take a significant length of time to take evidence from Judge Marrinan. However, the issue is not one for the Department of Justice, because NIJAC is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM). I am concerned that there appears to be a breakdown in the relationship between Judge Marrinan and other members of the judiciary, but it is not for me to go into the detail of that. I will certainly be interested to see what the Justice Committee determines after its consideration of the issues relating to the appointment process.

Samuel Gardiner (UUP, Upper Bann)

Has the Minister any plans to review the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

No. As I have just said, NIJAC is an arm's-length NDPB of OFMDFM, so it is not for me to consider a review of it.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Mr Fra McCann is not in his place.

Sydney Anderson (DUP, Upper Bann)

4. asked the Minister of Justice to clarify what he means when he uses the term dissident unionists. (AQO 5032/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

There are a small number of disaffected people on both sides of the community who are seeking to take Northern Ireland back to the past. We have seen their recklessness and willingness to endanger life, whether that is through acts of terrorism, organised criminality or public disorder. The term "dissident republicans" is well understood. During the previous oral questions to me, I used the term "dissident unionists" in a reply to Alban Maginness to refer to unionists who also engage in criminal behaviour and do not accept the current political arrangements. Neither group of dissidents can be allowed to thwart the progress that Northern Ireland has made. They need to see the futility of their violent actions and pursue exclusively peaceful means. Nobody engaged in democratic politics should do or say anything that would encourage the dissidents.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Question 5 has been withdrawn.

Sydney Anderson (DUP, Upper Bann)

I thank the Minister for his answer. The term "dissident unionist" is offensive to law-abiding unionists, and I wish you to put it beyond all doubt and confirm that you do not regard those engaged in legitimate peaceful protests, such as those about the flags issue and the ongoing protests at Twaddell Avenue, as dissident unionists and that we must all be very careful in our choice of words.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I regard those who break the law, whether or not they claim to be peaceful, as dissident.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

My question has almost become superfluous because the Minister has made his view absolutely clear. Does he agree with me that those involved in loyalism who are causing disorder and mayhem are, in fact, dissidents?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Mr Dallat has correctly identified the way in which I used the phrase last time and the way in which I have used it again today. I believe that Members sitting here with a democratic mandate need to be very careful that they do nothing to encourage such dissidents.

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

6. asked the Minister of Justice what steps he will take to encourage those with information relating to the abduction and murder of Columba McVeigh to pass this information on to the relevant authorities in order to help find his remains. (AQO 5034/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

The family of Columba McVeigh has suffered greatly throughout the past 38 years. It is a matter of great sadness that both his parents passed away without being accorded the dignity of giving their son a Christian burial. His family and the families of the other disappeared are to be commended for their continued efforts to establish the truth behind the events that led to the death of their loved ones. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains is the body established to help in those cases. I encourage anyone who has any information that would help in any way to bring an end to the suffering of those families to make that information known to the relevant authorities.

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Those who carried out any such form of nefarious abduction, murder and subsequent burial were responsible for one of the worst abuses of our civil rights that has ever existed. Would the Minister be prepared, following on from his answer, to meet the McVeigh family or its representatives?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

In my time as Minister, I have met a number of families, including those who were bereaved or suffered in other ways because of various aspects of criminal activity and terrorism over the years. I am quite happy to extend that to the McVeigh family and its representatives.

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I welcome the Minister's answer and the assurance that he has given to the House today. I wonder whether he will go a little bit further by further reassuring the House that he, in particular, and his Department are doing everything they possibly can to have a resolution to the nightmare that the McVeigh family has gone through for numerous years. As one who has met them, I am acutely aware of the sorrow and grief they are experiencing. If the Minister were to go the second mile on this — and I am not saying that he is not — it would bring some degree of reassurance to that family.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I certainly take Lord Morrow's point. I am not sure that much can be done by my Department as opposed to agencies such as the PSNI and an Garda Síochána to deal with the specific concerns that family members have, but I am certainly prepared to meet them and see whether there is anything that they would wish that can be done by my Department.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

When the Minister meets his colleagues from the Republic of Ireland, does the issue of the disappeared appear on the agenda regularly?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

The issue of the disappeared does not appear regularly on the agenda for Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) meetings with my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality. However, the ongoing issues of terrorism feature; we look at a joined-up approach across the island. Each of us ensuring that we fight criminality in all its various forms is part of the issue. The specific responsibilities for the recovery of remains are not for my Department specifically, but ongoing issues about how we address those problems are very much part of our concern.

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

7. asked the Minister of Justice for an update on the implementation of the recommendations made by the Prison Ombudsman following the death in custody of Colin Bell in HMP Maghaberry. (AQO 5035/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

The Prisoner Ombudsman's report into the death of Colin Bell was published in January 2009 and made 44 recommendations. The Northern Ireland Prison Service accepted 43 of the recommendations, and they have all been addressed. The Prison Service takes its responsibility for the safe custody of all those in its care extremely seriously. The safety and care of vulnerable prisoners continues to be a priority.

Every death in custody represents a personal tragedy for someone, and lessons can be learned in every case. I am satisfied that the Prison Service has made significant progress in that respect. It has implemented a number of measures to deal with the serious failings identified in the ombudsman's report.

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

The Minister will be aware that, in some of the recommendations on procedures, a number of prison warders were charged by the PSNI. In fact, they were used as scapegoats by the PSNI and the Prison Service. Will the Minister look at that, given the fact that at least one of those men was suffering from cancer at the time? It caused undue and added stress to a person already seriously ill.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I cannot accept that an appropriate disciplinary response can be regarded as scapegoating. I am also very aware that there is a criminal case before the courts today on this issue, so it would be unwise to say anything more.

Raymond McCartney (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. I reassure him that the Justice Committee likes to think that it gives significant time to all the witnesses who appear in front of it. We do not select particular ones and give them more attention than others.

Does the Minister agree that the death of Colin Bell in Maghaberry could and should have been avoided?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

On Mr McCartney's opening remarks, I will say briefly that any session with any individual witness that lasts longer than an entire Executive meeting seems to me to be a fairly significant contribution.

On the serious point that he raises about the death of Colin Bell, the recommendations made by the ombudsman and the implementation of all but one of those recommendations by the Prison Service are clearly an indication that the death should not have happened — that Colin Bell should not have died — and that there were serious issues to address concerning how vulnerable prisoners are cared for. I believe that those lessons are being learned, but we are also well aware that prisons in every part of the world will see deaths in custody. We need to do all that we can to eliminate them.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

What further steps are being taken to assist prisoners who have mental health issues to ensure that they get effective treatment for their illness?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I can assure Mr Rogers that the issue of mental health is one that is being taken very seriously. A number of the recommendations from the prison review team, led by Dame Anne Owers, are on specific aspects of healthcare, including mental healthcare. At the most recent meeting of the oversight group, we had a detailed response from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust on the work that is being done there, and the permanent secretary of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) sits on the oversight group to ensure that those lessons are being learned. Only earlier today, I was discussing ongoing healthcare issues with the director general of the Prison Service. Therefore, it is fully acknowledged that there is a lot of work to be done, but that work is under way.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

To follow on from Mr Rogers's question and the Minister's answer, on foot of his discussions, which he has just outlined, how much is being spent on healthcare in the prison system, and what proportion is being spent on mental health issues?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I am afraid that Mr Nesbitt will have to ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety that question.

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

8. asked the Minister of Justice what action he can take to remove any members of an illegal paramilitary organisation from continuing to serve on any policing and community safety partnership. (AQO 5036/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

The Northern Ireland Policing Board has responsibility for appointing independent members to policing and community safety partnerships (PCSPs) and the four Belfast district PCSPs, in line with the requirements of a statutory code of practice issued by my Department under the Justice Act 2011. Following appointment, independent members can be removed if, for example, they fail to disclose a conviction or have demonstrably acted in breach of the terms of a declaration against terrorism; and/or they are convicted of a criminal offence. In line with the requirements of the 2011 Act, responsibility for removing independent members rests with the Policing Board, or the relevant council with the approval of the board.

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

I thank the Minister for his reply. What he is actually saying is that he has no power of removal and that the Policing Board has some power. Is it not a scandal that a well-known member of an illegal organisation now sits on the Belfast policing board? Is that not something that ordinary members of the public would rightly object to?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I need to be cautious about referring to whether someone is or is not a member of an illegal organisation and about which individual Mr Maginness may be referring to, but the arrangements for removal are quite clear if someone has demonstrably failed to uphold the declaration against terrorism made on appointment to the PCSP or the district PCSP. That is the way in which the law as was put through the House is currently formulated . If there were changes to be made regarding vetting prior to appointment, they would have to be considered by the House at a later stage. I certainly understand the concerns that are being expressed by Mr Maginness if that is the feeling of sections of the community about some individual members. The key issue is to ensure that we see all members of PCSPs acting to uphold their responsibilities, acting lawfully and upholding the rule of law and the democratic institutions of the state.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle, agus gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his answers so far. In the light of recent events in Coleraine and east Belfast, what discussions has the Minister had with the Chief Constable about illegal loyalist activity and the status of the UVF ceasefire?

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

That is a totally separate question, and answering it is at the Minister's discretion.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I think that we need to be careful how we actually handle those particular issues. The specific matter of a UVF ceasefire or lack of UVF ceasefire and issues of specification in the organisation are not for the Department of Justice but remain with the Secretary of State. However, the Member and others will appreciate that, naturally, when I meet the Chief Constable, I discuss a range of issues, including criminal and terrorist activity.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

9. asked the Minister of Justice for his assessment of the 63% decrease in the number of referrals for human trafficking between 2011 and 2012, as stated in the second report of the interdepartmental ministerial group on human trafficking. (AQO 5037/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

The figures for referrals of potential victims of human trafficking to the national referral mechanism (NRM) can fluctuate. In Northern Ireland, where the number of referrals is relatively low, any fluctuation, such as where there are multiple referrals from a single case, can have a disproportionate effect on the figures. In addition, the clandestine nature of human trafficking makes it very difficult to assess with any degree of certainty the real level of the crime. The level in 2012 was lower than in 2011, but there is already an increase in 2013.

One factor in recognising victims is the need to raise awareness of the issue and how to recognise its signs with both front line professionals and the wider public. The cross-border forum on human trafficking, which my Department co-hosted with the Irish Department of Justice and Equality last month, looked at the challenges of identifying victims of human trafficking. Key messages emerging from that forum reinforced the need for training and awareness; the importance of a multi-agency approach; the role of education; and the need to build victims’ trust and confidence in the criminal justice system and the statutory bodies that can help them. My Department is working with partners to address those issues.

Progress includes the launch of an education resource and support for a number of awareness-raising campaigns and events. Training of front line professionals has been prioritised by the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF), and my Department has produced a leaflet to inform victims of how and where help can be accessed. The OCTF has commissioned research on referrals from Northern Ireland since the NRM was established so that we are better able to understand and respond to emerging threats and victims’ needs.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle, agus gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. How can the public assist in the campaign against human trafficking?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I think that the key way in which the public can assist is by being informed of the issue and aware of the kinds of signs that apply to trafficking, whether it is the trafficking that we see in forced labour, particularly in agriculture and horticulture, or people living in a house where there are too many people coming and going and unusual activity that may or may not relate to the sex trade. As well as becoming informed, people need to not be frightened to make their concerns known to the relevant agencies, normally the PSNI, to ensure that, if there are concerns about people being trafficked, they are followed up at an early enough stage and not left until people have perhaps moved on or other changes have happened. There is no doubt that the numbers that we are talking about in Northern Ireland are relatively low. However, the scale of the problem is not the real issue. The issue is the horrendous crime that trafficking is, whatever form it takes. It is therefore important that the public are aware, vigilant and respond.

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

There are many issues about which the Minister and I disagree on how to take the matter forward. However, there is, of late, clear evidence that the PSNI is taking measures — perhaps he initiated those — to create awareness of human trafficking, which, unfortunately, goes further than across Northern Ireland. Is this but a first step? Is it the Minister's intention to take further action to create awareness of the awful scourge of human trafficking?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I certainly appreciate the work that Lord Morrow is doing. While he highlights areas in which we disagree, we can also highlight significant areas in which we agree on the matter.

My intention is that we continue to highlight the issue through, for example, the Department's engagement group working with a number of NGOs. I think that he will have read, if other Members have not, the report of the interdepartmental ministerial group (IDMG), which was published at the time of the last meeting that I attended in London and on which I reported on at my last Question Time. It shows that a significant amount of work is being done in every region of the UK. I have already highlighted, in my primary answer to Mr Lynch, the work that we do on a North/South basis to cooperate. It is clear that good work is being done, but we require a partnership of the statutory agencies alongside the concerned voluntary groups and individuals to ensure that we get the message out.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

First, I want to commend the Minister for working so closely with his colleagues in other jurisdictions to ensure a joined-up approach. Is he looking at the Home Office modern slavery Bill, which is going through Westminster at the moment, to see if there are elements of that Bill that could be extended to or replicated in Northern Ireland?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I thank my colleague for that question. She is slightly premature in that the modern slavery Bill has not yet been introduced in Westminster. However, the Home Office is engaging in a number of areas around it. There are provisions in it that, if they apply across the UK, will have relevance for us.

One of the key issues on which there is a slight disagreement — only a slight technical disagreement — between Lord Morrow and me is the rapporteur mechanism and whether there should be a rapporteur for Northern Ireland or we should fit into a UK arrangement. If the Home Office carries through on the promises that it is making in respect of an independent rapporteur for the UK as a whole, the rapporteur may well be able to fulfil a significant function for Northern Ireland in looking at devolved and non-devolved matters, and that would be beneficial to us. However, we really need to see the detail of what the Home Office plans. I will look at that, and my officials will engage with the Home Office, Lord Morrow and others on how we carry it through.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

I call Mr Stewart Dickson.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

Question 10.

Stewart Dickson (Alliance, East Antrim)

10. asked the Minister of Justice for an update on his plans to introduce statutory time limits in youth cases. (AQO 5038/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I am happy to answer Kieran McCarthy as well as Stewart Dickson. [Laughter.] I am pleased to report that plans for introducing statutory time limits (STLs) are well advanced and that I intend to launch a public consultation on our proposals shortly. As developed by the Criminal Justice Board, the proposals are to introduce a single time limit for both charge and summons starting at the commencement of formal proceedings, which is the date on which a young person is formally charged or, for summons cases, the date on which the complaint charging the suspect is made to the court. Once a time limit has been activated, justice agencies will have 120 days to reach the start of trial. That time limit would apply to around 70% of the processes that we measure in the justice system.

When I announced in February 2012 that I planned to introduce STLs, I assured Members that any proposals would include specific safeguards to protect victims and the interests of justice. I, therefore, propose to exclude certain serious offences from the scope of STLs, with a particular focus on offences involving children or vulnerable adults. In addition, I propose to provide the court with powers to extend a time limit in the interests of justice.

In developing the consultation, my officials have undertaken an extensive programme of pre-consultation with a range of stakeholders representing a broad spectrum of public groups and organisations with a particular interest in young people. That has been extremely useful in giving us a clear understanding of the issues for young people and their families and of how STLs, along with the wider reforms that I am bringing forward, could make a positive difference in their lives.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

I call Mr Dickson for a short supplementary.

Stewart Dickson (Alliance, East Antrim)

Minister, you referred to youth engagement clinics in your original announcement: how are those progressing?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Youth engagement clinics were part of the key work to improve performance prior to the formal introduction of statutory time limits and were piloted in the Belfast area earlier this year. They were seen to have significant benefits in diverting cases away from formal proceedings and speeding up the justice system. We now seek to see how they can roll out across Northern Ireland generally.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

That ends the period for oral questions. We move on to topical questions.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

1. asked the Minister of Justice whether he is satisfied with the current arrangements used by the Parole Commissioners to consult with the families of murder victims about the release on licence of perpetrators. (AQT 381/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

A complex set of arrangements is managed through the victim information scheme. I believe that those arrangements normally work extremely well in ensuring that families are made aware as individuals progress through the system, particularly with issues such as temporary release. However, there are always circumstances in which the information is perhaps not supplied in a way that is most helpful. That issue is being addressed within the Department.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

I am afraid that the Minister's words are probably of little comfort to people like Linda Brown, whose daughter Nichola Dickson was murdered in Ballycarry in 2003. Linda only discovered that the preparator was out on licence after being told that he had been spotted out and about in the centre of Belfast. Can the Minister expand on what he is doing and, particularly, whether he will catch up with England and Wales as far as the EU directive on the rights of victims is concerned and allow victims to participate in parole hearings?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

The issue of the direct participation of victims in parole hearings is at a different stage. Certainly Mr Nesbitt has highlighted a particular issue where there was a problem in that the way in which information was supplied about somebody in the third phase of the pre-release scheme was, perhaps, not entirely easy to understand. That is the point that I referred to in my principal answer about ensuring that matters are dealt with differently. Clearly, that kind of issue needs to be kept under review as part of the ongoing work with victims and witnesses to ensure that, for example, the joined-up issues around bringing together the three victim information schemes is done in the best way to assist victims, whether they are direct victims or have been bereaved through murder or manslaughter.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast South)

2. asked the Minister of Justice which options he or his Department explored with the PSNI as alternatives to another directly awarded contract to Grafton Recruitment for agency staff at the end of this year. (AQT 382/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Unless there is an issue about the Department having a formal role in approving a business case because of the figures involved, the issue of direct award contracts is one for the PSNI. It is not an issue for the Department to directly supervise.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast South)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for that answer. Before I ask my supplementary question, I want to note that it is very interesting that the Minister routinely takes that approach to every organisation, with the exception of the so-called National Crime Agency. Notwithstanding that point, given the ongoing controversy about this lucrative yet non-competitive contract, will the Minister assure the House that his permanent secretary will not endorse this contract?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I assure Mr Maskey and the House that the correct procedures will be followed by the Department, the Minister and the permanent secretary. If there is a role for the Minister, it will be carried out properly; if there is a role for the permanent secretary, it will be carried out properly.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

3. asked the Minister of Justice what progress is being made to ensure that Northern Ireland plays its full part in the National Crime Agency, and rather than continual platitudes in the House about trying to go after people who break the law, when we have the opportunity to deal with lawbreakers and to bring them to a system whereby they are accountable for their deeds and their ill-gotten gains, we make it reality rather than just words. (AQT 383/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I have certainly told the House on a number of occasions about the engagement that I have had around the National Crime Agency. I continue to believe that it is vital that we get the full benefits of having the NCA operational in Northern Ireland in the devolved sphere as well as, of course, its current position of being active in the non-devolved sphere without any oversight from our policing architecture.

On 25 October, I wrote to Sinn Féin Members setting out some responses to questions that had been raised. On 22 October, I was given an undertaking by members of the SDLP that they would provide me with a paper setting out some of their concerns. I remain active and keen to engage on those issues, but, at the moment, the ball is in the court of those two parties and not the Department. I assure the House that the Department will respond speedily to any representations made by any party in the House.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for clarifying that. It will be interesting to see the response of those two parties, who talk much about lawbreakers, and whether they are prepared to come up with suggestions on how this vital element of our structures against criminality and criminals should be implemented. Will the Minister assure the House that it will not just be about addressing issues of accountability but about real and meaningful progress to ensure that Northern Ireland plays a central role in ensuring that criminals and their assets are pursued and criminals put out of business?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

It is my intention to ensure that we have the National Crime Agency operating in every respect in Northern Ireland in support of the PSNI and other agencies and playing its part in the Organised Crime Task Force alongside other agencies, whether they be local and devolved or UK-wide agencies operating in Northern Ireland. That should be the ambition for us all. That has to be done in recognition of the specific policing architecture in Northern Ireland. I have said on many occasions in the House and in negotiations with Whitehall Ministers that I remain committed to seeing that happen. I welcome the fact that I have had positive comments on that from all parties in the House. I just hope that we can carry that through and get the details sorted out from those who are asking questions but have not responded to the last points that I put to them. I trust that we can do that as speedily as possible.

Sydney Anderson (DUP, Upper Bann)

4. asked the Minister of Justice for his assessment of the high levels of sick leave in his Department and in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. (AQT 384/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Mr Anderson correctly highlights why sick leave is seen as being at a high level in the DOJ: it is because prison officers are classed as departmental employees in the production of the statistics. We can all accept that there are circumstances in which somebody who has a relatively straightforward desk-bound policy job may be able to go to work but, with a similar sickness, would be unable to work as a prison officer. That is almost the total part of the reason why DOJ absentee figures are higher than the Civil Service average. The issue is being addressed in the core Department, as in other Departments, and in the Prison Service. However, we have to recognise the circumstances in which prison officers work and accept that their rate of sickness will always be higher than that of other staff.

Sydney Anderson (DUP, Upper Bann)

I thank the Minister for his response. I understand that the Northern Ireland Prison Service predicts a further increase in sick leave in 2013-14. Do you agree that sick leave levels are being made worse by the low staff morale caused by the speed and nature of the prison reform programme?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I have seen no sign that there is low staff morale because of the prison reform programme. Indeed, what I see is that, with a significant input of over 300 new staff and 200 staff regraded into the new custody officer post, there is significant impetus to see change happen in the Prison Service. Undoubtedly, some members were more accustomed to the difficult duties that they had to perform some years ago, and for them that is a challenge. However, I see significant improvements being made and a solid management leadership driving forward the change that this society needs to see.

Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

5. asked the Minister of Justice whether he is aware of the concern that the review of solicitors’ fees in the family law remit and their possible reduction might lead to the closure of some law practices and, subsequently, difficulties around access to justice for some people. (AQT 385/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I am aware that concerns have been expressed by some people about the potential closure of solicitors' firms. The reality is that I have a duty to ensure that the budget of the Department of Justice is used to provide the justice services that this society needs as a whole. In round figures, on devolution, the justice budget was £75 million and expenditure just over £100 million. Despite the reforms to criminal justice fees, the budget of £75 million is still being exceeded, with expenditure in the region of £100 million. Every penny that is spent in that respect is money that is not being directed to other services by the Department. When we compare fees in this jurisdiction with those in England and Wales, which is the most comparable figure, we see that we spend significantly more. There is no doubt that that position is unsustainable.

Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Given the difficulty that law graduates have in finding employment or placements in solicitors' offices, which some people would say is because of some of these cuts, would the Minister advise young people to go into the legal profession?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

It is not for me to advise young people on their career choice, except possibly the four young adults who are my children.

Individuals have to decide for themselves, and there is no doubt that some law graduates have found career opportunities with some of the international legal firms that are establishing back office services in Northern Ireland. Other aspects of life have changed in recent years, and I am not sure that it is my role, as Justice Minister, to guarantee that small solicitors' firms will continue to operate as they have been doing. I see lawyers — solicitors and barristers — looking at different ways to operate, such as developing alternative dispute resolution services. The important thing is that we get the best services for the people of Northern Ireland in an affordable way that meets the needs of this society for the next few years.

Michael Copeland (UUP, Belfast East)

6. asked the Minister of Justice whether, given the concerns highlighted by the Public Accounts Committee about the contract for the rebuild of the Lyric Theatre, he has any concerns about the Desertcreat proposals, in that the bidder-designate for that contract might be the same company. (AQT 386/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

As I understand it, there is not, at this stage, a preferred bidder or a preferred bidder-designate. From the work being done by the programme board, my information is that robust checks are being carried out on the bidders who might be involved in the final contract. Indeed, the COPE in DHSSPS has been carrying out a lot of that work on behalf of the programme board. The key issue is to ensure that we get Desertcreat college built as fast as possible and meeting the needs of the three services.

Michael Copeland (UUP, Belfast East)

My source of information was the Justice Committee, to which, I believe, some of your departmental officials used the term last week. However, given the significant budget overspends that have dogged Desertcreat thus far, does this have the potential to provide further delay? If so, what steps will you take to prevent that?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I believe that we have got matters back on track. There certainly was a problem in that the consultants appointed made a significant error in the estimated costs and those who were supervising failed to pick up on that error. A lot of work has been done by the programme team, the two Departments and the three responsible bodies to look at how costs can be taken out without cutting back on the functionality of the college. I believe that we have reached the position where we have a scheme that will represent value for money and can go ahead.

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

7. asked the Minister of Justice for his assessment of the threat posed by dissident republican terrorists, particularly in light of recent events. (AQT 387/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

The position remains as it has been for some time: the threat from republican terrorists remains severe, which means that attacks are believed to be likely. We have seen a number of significant attacks in recent weeks. The use of parcel bombs put at risk the lives of a number of people. Whomever they were addressed to, they were never going to reach those people, but the lives of postal workers and administrative staff in a variety of government and police offices were put at risk. That shows how desperate some people are. The deliberate attempt to murder police officers in Strabane this weekend was clearly a sign that that threat is being carried through. We should also recognise the extremely good work being done by the PSNI, whether it is in some of the specialist branches or at community level, to counter that threat.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

1. asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the pilot schemes his Department has introduced since May 2011. (AQO 5044/11-15)

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

I understand that the Member has clarified that his question relates to housing and regeneration pilot schemes. In that respect, my Department has introduced the following pilot schemes since May 2011: the boiler replacement scheme, which is finished; phases 1 and 2 of the affordable warmth scheme, of which phase 1 is finished, and phase 2 is ongoing; the pay-as-you-go pilot, which is finished; the empty homes pilot, which is finished; the FirstBuyNI scheme, which is finished; the affordable home loans fund, which is ongoing; six Building Successful Communities pilots, which are ongoing; the Resurgam social enterprise pilot project, which is ongoing; the Tyrone/Donegal partnership virtual incubation and software training academy (VISTA), which is ongoing; the Development Trusts Northern Ireland community asset transfer, which is ongoing; and two signature projects through the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) Delivering Social Change programme, namely nurture units and social enterprise incubation units, which are both ongoing.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he outline how many of those schemes have been introduced in his North Belfast constituency? Indeed, in the wider list of total schemes, will he get back to me on the location of each scheme and where they were introduced?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

If the Member had listened to the fulsome list that I read out, he would be aware that the boiler replacement scheme operated right across the Province; phases 1 and 2 of the affordable warmth scheme are being taken forward in a number of areas; the pay-as-you-go pilot was most certainly not in North Belfast; the empty homes pilot was spread across several constituencies; the FirstBuyNI scheme was Province-wide; and the affordable home loans fund was widespread. None of the pilots was restricted to one constituency, and, in fact, most of them were Province-wide.

David Hilditch (DUP, East Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. How much funding was allocated to the affordable home loans scheme, and how many homes will it provide for?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

My Department received £19 million of loan funding from the Treasury over 2012-13 and 2013-14 under the Get Britain Building banner. That money has been allocated to three housing associations. It will provide interest-free loans to the housing associations to develop new affordable housing throughout Northern Ireland between now and 2019-2020. Outline proposals from the associations indicate that funding at that level could provide up to 620 new homes, including bringing up to 150 empty homes back into use as affordable homes.

Those homes will be targeted at first-time buyers and those returning to the market, giving them an all-important step onto the housing ladder and helping to promote economic growth and assisting the construction industry to create and maintain jobs during a period when that sector is under pressure. My Department is working with housing associations to ensure that plans are in place that would allow them to commence 100 new homes in the financial year 2013-14.

Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

How many of those schemes have been subject to a full equality impact assessment (EQIA) or have been screened for an EQIA?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

The schemes are pilots. We are dealing with issues such as energy efficiency and so on to bring homes back into use, which affect every part of Northern Ireland. Rather than getting bogged down in the technicalities of EQIAs, I am more interested in addressing the real needs of people. The tragedy is that, during the years when the Member's party had charge of this Department, those issues were ignored.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

2. asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the reasons for the significant delays in issuing new maintenance contracts. (AQO 5045/11-15)

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. In May 2013, the chairman of the Housing Executive advised me that an internal investigation had indicated that an estimated £18 million had been overpaid to planned maintenance contractors. In June 2013, following evidence of substantial overcharging, the board of the Housing Executive commissioned an external independent review of how the organisation had been dealing with planned maintenance contracts over the past five years. It advised that until the issue was satisfactorily resolved, the four planned maintenance contractors would not receive any new contracts from the Housing Executive.

The Housing Executive's board has asked for three things to be in place before moving forward to make appointments: an agreement to repay any overpayments found to have been made; an agreement on what additional sample inspections are to be done; and an agreement on how the sample inspection results will be applied to allow a robust estimate of the financial position to be reached.

The first agreement is in place, and the Housing Executive is waiting for a response from the contractors on the proposals made on points 2 and 3. If agreement is reached over the next two weeks, the Housing Executive's board will be in a position to appoint contractors to the framework at its November meeting.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Can the Minister inform the House how much the overpayments that have been paid back amount to?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

I ask the Member to show a little patience because there is a figure in the report produced by the firm of consultants Campbell Tickell. As I said, that report was commissioned by the Housing Executive. Therefore, the figures will be known to the chair of the Housing Executive and the board. The information will then be given to the Social Development Committee on Thursday, when it will receive copies of the report. It would be premature for me to quote the figure today because that information will be disclosed. There is an embargo on the report until Thursday, and I prefer not to breach that.

It is true to say that it is not a good report — there can be no doubt about that. It is a good report in itself, but its subject is dire. It does not make good reading and mentions a very substantial overpayment figure.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

Can the Minister explain how any contractors alleged by the Housing Executive to have received overpayments were successful in securing new contracts with the Housing Executive?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for the question. There is a balancing exercise to be carried out by the executive: it must ensure that it does all that it can to protect the public purse while ensuring a good service to tenants. There is a difficulty there. In June, the Housing Executive board determined that the planned maintenance contractors would not be awarded any new contracts until the overpayment issue had been resolved. Since that time, the Housing Executive has held meetings with the contractors. One outcome of the meetings, and this is important, is that the contractors have agreed to repay any overpayments.

The next step is to quantify the agreed amount. As a result of the progress made, the Housing Executive has made progress with the contractors. It has been able to let the new double-glazing contracts. However, the Housing Executive board must receive further assurances from officers and contractors before new planned maintenance contracts are awarded. As I said, it is hoped that that will be dealt with — it will certainly be discussed — at the Housing Executive board's meeting later this month.

Dolores Kelly (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Upper Bann)

Does the Minister continue to stand over his claim of overpayment to the tune of £18 million? If so, does he acknowledge the widespread concern and hardship caused to small firms facing cash flow problems with the bank on the basis of his allegation?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

The figure quoted was the figure provided by the chair of the Housing Executive. I am sure that the Member is aware of that fact. The Member is also a member of the Social Development Committee, and I assume that she has already received her copy of the Campbell Tickell report ahead of the meeting on Thursday.

If she has not, she will receive it in the next day or so, because although the report will be embargoed until Thursday, there will be an opportunity, I am sure, for members to look at it before the meeting.

On Thursday, the figure as estimated by Campbell Tickell will be disclosed. I have already said, in answer to a previous question, that the report does not make good reading. It identifies, as I indicated, very serious shortcomings in the Housing Executive over a sustained period reaching back more than a decade. It shows that there was a serious shortcoming in how the Egan contracts, introduced back in 2001, were managed. That led to the sort of situation that we saw.

The figure, as estimated by Campell Tickell, will be disclosed on Thursday, and as I already said, the report does not make good reading because it shows, quite clearly, that a substantial overpayment was made. As far as I am concerned, it would not matter whether it was £5 million, £10 million, £15 million or £20 million. Whatever it was, it was far too much.

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

3. asked the Minister for Social Development how the proposals for shared neighbourhood developments, announced as part of the Together: Building a United Community, differ from existing Northern Ireland Housing Executive policies. (AQO 5046/11-15)

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

My Department provides funding to the Housing Executive to deliver a shared community programme. The objectives of the programme are to reduce housing segregation, to develop, support and sustain current shared communities and to increase community cohesion, bridging and participation. Thirty existing Housing Executive estates, with 60,000 residents, are supported through that programme and a further 20 shared communities are being developed and supported.

For new social housing developments, the Housing Executive identifies developments that are deemed suitable for shared designation and works with the relevant housing association to promote and develop the scheme, subject to residents' agreement, as shared housing. To date, that approach has delivered 11 shared newbuild schemes. My Department has also been tasked with taking forward proposals to create 10 new shared neighbourhood developments, as set out by OFMDFM in the 'Together: Building a United Community' document.

In taking that work forward, I have asked my officials, when examining the current shared communities programme, to identify what lessons can be learnt from the good work done to date to develop greater levels of sharing within social housing, and we are considering the feasibility of up to 17 potential shared sites. We will also examine whether there is scope, and indeed a need, to encourage similar activity within private housing development.

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister. The 'Together: Building a United Community' document has raised more questions than it answers. Will the Minister explain whether a budget has now been decided upon, whether locations have been picked or even suggested for pilots and whether dates have been chosen for when the work will commence?